Which department should I see for a child who often has indigestion and will not eat?

Name: Which department should I see for a child who often has indigestion and will not eat?
Creator: Which Department
Published: 2026-09-17

2026-09-17 · Neutral information that names no hospital, doctor or region. No rankings, recommendations or reviews.

Short answer

Pediatrics(소아청소년과) is generally the first department to see when a child frequently experiences indigestion or refuses to eat, as pediatric specialists evaluate digestive function within the overall context of a child's growth and development. If the initial evaluation suggests a structural or functional gastrointestinal issue, the pediatrician may refer the child to a pediatric gastroenterologist or a gastroenterology(소화기내과) specialist experienced with children.

Which department

1Pediatrics (소아청소년과)
Pediatricians are trained to assess digestive complaints — such as frequent indigestion, poor appetite, and feeding refusal — alongside a child's growth curve, developmental milestones, and overall health, making them the most appropriate first contact for these symptoms. They can determine whether the issue is functional, nutritional, behavioral, or a sign of an underlying condition that requires specialist referral. — First / second line: In most cases, starting at a local pediatric clinic (의원 level) is appropriate; if symptoms are persistent, severe, or accompanied by growth concerns, the pediatrician will generally issue a referral to a secondary or tertiary care facility.
2Pediatric Gastroenterology (소아소화기영양과 / 소아소화기과)
This subspecialty focuses specifically on digestive tract conditions in children, including chronic indigestion, feeding difficulties, reflux, motility disorders, and nutrient absorption issues, which may not fully resolve with general pediatric management alone. Specialist evaluation here typically involves more detailed investigation of gastrointestinal function. — First / second line: This department is usually reached after a referral from a general pediatrician, particularly when symptoms are recurring over a long period, when growth is affected, or when basic evaluation has not identified a clear cause; a referral letter (진료의뢰서) is generally needed when visiting a hospital-level facility.
3Pediatric Endocrinology (소아내분비과)
If poor appetite and failure to eat are associated with growth delay, hormonal imbalances, or metabolic conditions, a pediatric endocrinologist may be involved, as these factors can directly affect a child's appetite regulation and digestive comfort. This department works alongside general pediatrics rather than replacing it as a first contact. — First / second line: Referral to this department is typically initiated by a general pediatrician when growth charts or laboratory findings suggest an endocrine or metabolic component to the child's feeding difficulties.
4Child and Adolescent Psychiatry / Behavioral Pediatrics (소아청소년정신건의학과)
In some children, persistent refusal to eat may have a behavioral, emotional, or sensory component — such as feeding avoidance related to anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or early disordered eating patterns — which benefits from evaluation by a specialist in child mental and behavioral health. This is typically considered when physical causes have been ruled out. — First / second line: This department is generally consulted after a pediatric evaluation has excluded primary physical causes; in practice, a pediatrician will usually coordinate or initiate this referral.

Go to the ER / call 119 if

If any of the following applies, do not choose a department — go to an emergency room or call 119 (Korea's emergency number).

The child shows signs of severe dehydration such as no urination for many hours, sunken eyes, dry mouth, or extreme lethargy.
The child vomits repeatedly and forcefully, especially if vomit contains blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
The child has significant abdominal distension (bloating) combined with intense pain, rigidity of the abdomen, or inability to pass stool or gas.
The child loses consciousness, is unresponsive, or has a seizure in the context of not eating or severe vomiting.
The child shows a sudden and dramatic drop in weight over a short period, or appears critically weak and unable to keep any food or fluid down.

Before your visit

Note when the indigestion or feeding refusal started, how often it occurs, and whether it happens after specific foods or at specific times of day.
Keep a brief record of what the child has eaten and refused over the past few days, including portion sizes and any foods associated with discomfort.
Observe and note any accompanying symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, changes in stool color or consistency, or unusual fatigue.
Bring the child's health record booklet (건강수첩) or any previous growth chart records, as the doctor will typically compare current weight and height to prior measurements.
List any medications, supplements, or herbal remedies the child is currently taking, including dosage if known.
Note any recent life changes or stressors (such as starting school, a new sibling, or travel) that may be relevant to changes in eating behavior.

General principles

Frequent indigestion and poor appetite in children can arise from a wide range of causes — including functional digestive issues, food sensitivities, gastroesophageal reflux, infections, nutritional imbalances, or behavioral and emotional factors. Because children's digestive systems are still developing, these symptoms are best evaluated by a professional who can consider the child's overall growth trajectory alongside the specific complaint.

In the Korean healthcare system, the general approach is to start at a local clinic (의원) with a pediatric specialist, who can conduct an initial assessment and, if necessary, write a referral (진료의뢰서) to a larger hospital or subspecialty department. Skipping the primary care step and going directly to a tertiary hospital (상급종합병원) without a referral is possible but may result in higher out-of-pocket costs under the national health insurance (건강보험) system, whereas secondary hospitals (병원/종합병원) can generally be visited directly without this concern.

The types of evaluations a doctor may consider for these symptoms are broad and depend on the clinical picture — they may range from growth assessment and dietary history review to laboratory tests or imaging, all of which are determined by the consulting physician based on the individual child. Parents are generally encouraged to bring as much background information as possible, as the history of the symptom is a key part of the evaluation process.

FAQ

Should I go to a local pediatric clinic first, or go directly to a children's hospital?

In most cases, starting at a local pediatric clinic (의원 level) is the standard approach in Korea, and the pediatrician there can assess whether a hospital-level referral is needed. Going directly to a secondary children's hospital without a referral is possible with normal insurance coverage, while proceeding to a tertiary children's hospital without a referral generally involves higher out-of-pocket costs, so a clinic visit is usually the recommended first step.

Could this be a stomach or intestinal condition rather than a general pediatric issue?

It is possible that a digestive-tract-specific condition is involved, but this distinction is typically made by a general pediatrician during the initial evaluation rather than by the family before the visit. If the pediatrician finds evidence pointing to a specific gastrointestinal issue, they will generally coordinate a referral to a pediatric gastroenterology specialist.

What kinds of assessments are generally done for a child who refuses to eat?

The specific assessments depend entirely on what the consulting physician finds during the initial evaluation; they may include reviewing the child's growth chart, asking detailed questions about eating habits and symptoms, and potentially ordering laboratory or imaging tests if indicated. It is best to discuss with the doctor what is appropriate for the individual child rather than expecting a fixed set of tests.

Is it possible that my child's poor appetite is due to stress or emotional issues rather than a physical problem?

Yes, behavioral and emotional factors — including stress, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities — can significantly influence a child's appetite and relationship with food, and a pediatrician is generally trained to screen for these possibilities alongside physical causes. If a behavioral or psychological component is suspected after a physical evaluation, the pediatrician may suggest involvement from a child behavioral or psychiatric specialist as part of ongoing care.

Find a clinic (external directories)

External directories for finding a clinic by region once you know the department (public data, no rankings or recommendations).

Hospital directory by region (koreahospital.org)

This page is general medical information and does not replace diagnosis, treatment or choosing a clinic. Consult a doctor for any symptom. In an emergency, go to the ER or call 119 immediately.