David Kawatu, M.D. Pediatric Gastroenterologist

Primary Appointment Location

Arkansas Children’s Hospital
1 Children's Way
Little Rock, AR 72202

Appointment Phone Numbers: 501-263-2644
Primary Care; 501-222-4596
Specialty Care

View Location

Overview

Areas of Expertise: Digestive Health; Pediatric Care
Accepting New Patients: Yes (Referral Required)
Provides Second Opinion: Yes
Patient Type: Children and Adolescents
Language: English

Patient ratings are not available for this provider.

Make an Appointment With Dr. Kawatu

Appointments for new patients are by referral only.

Existing patients can make an appointment by requesting an appointment online through Arkansas Children’s MyChart or by contacting the clinic directly.

About Dr. Kawatu

David Kawatu, M.D. is a Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). Dr. Kawatu holds the Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition.

Dr. Kawatu received his medical degree in 1986 from University of Zambia School of Medicine and proceeded with earning a graduate degree in Epidemiology and Community Health from Queen’s University Ontario, Canada (1990) where he also completed his internship in Pediatrics in 1993. Dr. Kawatu Completed Pediatric Residency Program at SUNY Health Science Center Syracuse, NY in 1996 and Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Fellowship at Brown Medical school in 1999. He joined the faculty of UAMS in 2018.

Dr. Kawatu is specialized in Intestinal Failure and Short Bowel Syndrome and is passionate about researching those conditions to create strong knowledge in medical society and improve patient care outcomes. His current research also involves multiple clinical trials, where he serves as co-investigator or consulting investigator, NIH-funded studies and international registries.

Physician Bio: David Kawatu, MD

Dr. Kawatu's Academic Background

Administrative Roles

Department of Pediatrics — Division of Gastroenterology: Section Chief

Faculty Appointments

Department of Pediatrics — Division of Gastroenterology: Professor
Department of Pediatrics — Division of Gastroenterology: Jane and Frank Lyon Endowed Chair

Professional Certifications

American Board of Pediatrics — General Pediatrics
American Board of Pediatrics — Pediatric Gastroenterology

Dr. Kawatu's Research

Selected Publications

Hayes CE, Kawatu D, Mangray S, LeLeiko NS. Rectal suction biopsy to exclude the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012 Sep; 55(3):268-71. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31824c0acc PMID: 22922333.
View in Pubmed: 22922333
Silverstein J, Grand D, Kawatu D, Shah SA, Steinkeler J, LeLeiko N. Feasibility of using MR enterography for the assessment of terminal ileitis and inflammatory activity in children with Crohn disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012 Aug; 55(2):173-7. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318249595d PMID: 22241511.
View in Pubmed: 22241511
Schaefer ME, Machan JT, Kawatu D, Langton CR, Markowitz J, Crandall W, Mack DR, Evans JS, Pfefferkorn MD, Griffiths AM, Otley AR, Bousvaros A, Kugathasan S, Rosh JR, Keljo DJ, Carvalho RS, Tomer G, Mamula P, Kay MH, Kerzner B, Oliva-Hemker M, Kappelman MD, Saeed SA, Hyams JS, Leleiko NS. Factors that determine risk for surgery in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Sep; 8(9):789-94. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2010.05.021 PMID: 20566311.
View in Pubmed: 20566311
Shapiro JM, Kawatu D, Bancroft B, LeLeiko N. Inflammatory bowel disease in pediatrics. Med Health R I. 2009 Apr; 92(4):135, 145-7. PMID: 19452758.
View in Pubmed: 19452758
LeLeiko NS, Pinkos B, Trotta J, Kawatu D. Nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease. Med Health R I. 2009 Apr; 92(4):131-4. PMID: 19452757.
View in Pubmed: 19452757
Kawatu D, LeLeiko NS. Screening for celiac disease in asymptomatic children with Down syndrome: cost-effectiveness of preventing lymphoma. Pediatrics. 2006 Aug; 118(2):816-7. PMID: 16882844.
View in Pubmed: 16882844
Kawatu D, Weinberger HL, Blatt SD. Universal versus selective screening for lead in children. Pediatrics. 1995 Jan; 95(1):157-9. PMID: 7770298.
View in Pubmed: 7770298
Kawatu D, Lees RE, Maclachlan RA. Screening for intestinal parasites. Is a single specimen valid? Can Fam Physician. 1993 Aug; 39():1748-50. PMID: 8374361.
View in Pubmed: 8374361
Kawatu D, MacLachlan RA, Lees RE. Intestinal parasite control in an institution for developmentally handicapped adults. Can J Public Health. 1992 Jul-Aug; 83(4):295-7. PMID: 1303641.
View in Pubmed: 1303641