A photo of Maisam Abu-El-Haija.

Maisam A. Abu-El-Haija, MD, MS


  • Medical Director, Pancreas Care Center
  • Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
Each of my patients and their families has unique needs, which need to be taken into account when making treatment decisions. What works for one patient may not work for another.
Maisam A. Abu-El-Haija, MD, MS

About

Biography

I was inspired to pursue my career by children and knowing that their growth and health are so essential for them to reach their best potential. I enjoy making people feel better, and I believe in open communication between the provider and the family.

As a gastroenterologist, I specialize in pancreatic diseases, pancreatitis, growth and nutrition, and general gastroenterology-related diseases. Each of my patients and their families has unique needs, which need to be taken into account when making treatment decisions. What works for one patient may not work for another. I use evidence-based treatments and engage my patients in my thinking and decision-making, which is vital to the success of treatment.

I have won many awards, including the Clinical Care Achievement Award from Cincinnati Children’s. This award is for excellence in care provided to gastroenterology and pancreas patients.

In my research, I am focused on acute pancreatitis, predictive models for severe pancreatitis and diabetes that occurs after acute pancreatitis. I’m also actively working on research in acute recurrent chronic pancreatitis and total pancreatectomy islet auto-transplantation arenas.

In my free time I like to travel mostly, to explore new beaches when I can. My hobbies include exercise and doing outdoor activities with my family. I enjoy cooking with my children and trying new recipes without making a mess in the kitchen!

MBBS: Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan, 2003.

Residency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 2009.

Fellowship: Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 2012.

Services and Specialties

Gastroenterology GI, Pancreas Care

Research Areas

Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Global Health

Additional Languages

Arabic

Insurance Information

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Publications

Endoscopic cystostomy and biliary sphincterotomy for choledochoceles: A pediatric case series. Saad, M; Abu-El-Haija, M; Lin, TK; Towbin, AJ; Trout, AT; Bernieh, A; Tiao, G; Vitale, DS. 2024.

Acute Pancreatitis in Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review. Dike, CR; DadeMatthews, A; DadeMatthews, O; Abu-El-Haija, M; Lebensburger, J; Smith, A; Imdad, A. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024; 13:4712.

Novel chymotrypsin C (CTRC) variants from real-world genetic testing of pediatric chronic pancreatitis cases. Stefanovics, R; Sándor, M; Demcsák, A; Berke, G; Németh, BC; Zhang, W; Abu-El-Haija, M; Sahin-Tóth, M. Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.]. 2024; 24:690-697.

Semi-automated software improves interrater reliability and reduces processing time of magnetic resonance imaging-based exocrine pancreatic assessments in pediatric patients. Dudley, JA; Ata, NA; Murdock, KE; Vitale, DS; Abu-El-Haija, M; Trout, AT. Abdominal Radiology. 2024; 49:2408-2415.

1436-P: High Prevalence of Exocrine Pancreatic Dysfunction in Pediatric Subjects with Diabetes Mellitus. TATUM, JD; HORNUNG, L; ELDER, DA; SHAH, AS; ABU-EL-HAIJA, M. Diabetes. 2024; 73.

Tu2051 INSIGHTS INTO THE EXPLANTED PANCREAS AND ISLET YIELD: THE ROLE OF IMAGING MARKERS IN PEDIATRIC TOTAL PANCREATECTOMY ISLET AUTOTRANSPLANTATION. Saad, M; Ata, NA; Ahmad, S; Anton, C; Appakalai, BN; Brunner, J; Fei, L; Sun, Q; Abu-El-Haija, M; Trout, AT. Gastroenterology. 2024; 166:s-1507-s-1508.

893 DISEASE BIOMARKERS AND RADIOMIC FEATURES CAN PREDICT THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS FOLLOWING A SINGLE EPISODE OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS. Ginzburg, G; Debnath, P; Zhang, Y; Ata, NA; Farrell, PR; Garlapally, V; Kotha, N; Thompson, T; Vitale, DS; Trout, AT; Abu-El-Haija, M. Gastroenterology. 2024; 166:s-211-s-212.

Addressing the Transition to Adult Health Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Pancreatic Disorders. Hart, L; Gariepy, C; Woodward, JF; Lara, LF; Conwell, D; Abu-El-Haija, M. Cureus. 2024; 16:e57972.

Acute pancreatitis is associated with gut dysbiosis in children. Dike, CR; Ollberding, NJ; Thompson, T; Kotha, N; Minar, P; Vitale, DS; Lin, TK; Nasr, A; Denson, LA; Haslam, DB; Abu-El-Haija, M. Digestive and Liver Disease. 2024; 56:444-450.

Faster discharge with lactated ringers than normal saline in first 72 h of acute pancreatitis: A multicenter randomized trial. Farrell, PR; DesPain, AW; Farmer, P; Farrell, LM; Greenfield, B; Rogers, ME; Hornung, L; Kim, E; Pearman, R; Neway, B; Thompson, T; Heubi, JE; Sehgal, S; Amoury, R; Abu-El-Haija, M. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2024; 78:360-368.

From the Blog

Cincinnati Children’s Doctor and Patient Honored at National Pancreas Foundation Gala
Digestive System

Cincinnati Children’s Doctor and Patient Honored at National Pancreas Foundation Gala

Maisam A. Abu-El-Haija, MD, MS4/21/2023

Vitamin A May Reduce Pancreatitis Risk During ALL Treatment
Cancer

Vitamin A May Reduce Pancreatitis Risk During ALL Treatment

Maisam A. Abu-El-Haija, MD, MS, Mayur Sarangdhar, PhD ...3/15/2023

Stomach Pain and Acute Pancreatitis
Blog Rare and Complex Conditions

Stomach Pain and Acute Pancreatitis: Questions To Ask Your Child’s Doctor

By Maisam Abu-El-Haija, MD3/31/2016

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4.6
Overall Patient Rating