About
Dr. Rabia Zahid Khan is a specialized Pediatric Gastroenterologist, dedicated to diagnosing and treating digestive system disorders in infants, children, and adolescents. Practicing at a reputable gastroenterology clinic within Ottawa, ON, she is a key member of the local medical community. She adheres to the high standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring that her practice aligns with provincial regulations and best practices. Dr. Khan focuses on the unique digestive health needs of children, from common issues like reflux to complex conditions such as pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease. Her approach emphasizes comprehensive and family-centered care, creating a supportive environment for her young patients and their families.
She graduated with a Medical Degree from the National University of Science & Technology in Zimbabwe. Since 2024, she has been practicing as a Pediatric Gastroenterologist, gaining valuable experience in the diagnosis and management of pediatric digestive disorders. Dr. Khan is recognized as a CPSO Recognized Specialist, affirming her specialized training and expertise in pediatric gastroenterology (Specialized Digestive Care for Children). Her certifications and ongoing professional development ensure that she remains current with the latest advances in her field.
Dr. Khan’s clinical philosophy centers on providing gentle, effective, and family-oriented care for children with digestive issues. She is committed to patient education, empowering families with knowledge about their child's condition and treatment options. Her practice emphasizes creating a child-friendly environment for procedures and collaborating closely with pediatricians and other specialists to ensure holistic care. Fluent in English, she is dedicated to serving families in Ottawa with compassion, professionalism, and respect.
Dr. Rabia Khan diagnoses and treats a wide range of digestive system disorders, including:
Pediatric Gastrointestinal, Liver & Nutritional Disorders
- Pediatric Acute & Chronic Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas in children, which can be acute, recurrent, or chronic, with various underlying causes.
- Neonatal Cholestasis & Jaundice Evaluation: Investigation of prolonged jaundice or impaired bile flow in newborns and infants to identify conditions like biliary atresia or other liver diseases.
- Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) & Disease (GERD): Frequent spitting up or vomiting in infants, or heartburn, regurgitation, and feeding difficulties in older children. GERD implies complications or persistent troublesome symptoms.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Focus
- Crohn's Disease (Ileal, Colonic, Ileocolonic, Perianal): A chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus, causing transmural (full-thickness) inflammation, pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and potential complications like strictures or fistulas.
- Microscopic Colitis (often considered alongside IBD for chronic diarrhea): Though distinct from classic IBD, it's an inflammatory condition of the colon diagnosed by biopsy, causing chronic watery diarrhea.
- Ulcerative Colitis (Proctitis, Left-sided Colitis, Pancolitis): A chronic inflammatory condition that causes inflammation and ulcers primarily in the lining of the large intestine (colon and rectum), typically presenting with bloody diarrhea, urgency, and abdominal pain.
Small & Large Intestine (Colorectal) Disorders
- Diverticular Disease (Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, Diverticular Bleeding): Diverticulosis is the presence of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall. Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of these pouches. Diverticular bleeding can also occur.
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding (Obscure & Overt): Bleeding anywhere along the digestive tract, which can be visible (overt) or hidden (occult/obscure), requiring investigation to identify and treat the source.
This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific digestive condition, please consult with Dr. Rabia Khan.
- Evaluation & Management of Failure to Thrive & Pediatric Malabsorption Syndromes: Systematic investigation into causes of poor weight gain or growth in children, including malabsorption syndromes (e.g., cystic fibrosis related, short bowel syndrome), and implementing nutritional rehabilitation.
- Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis, IBD-U) Diagnosis & Care: Specialized diagnosis, treatment (including nutritional therapies, immunomodulators, biologics), and long-term multidisciplinary management of IBD in children, focusing on disease control, optimizing growth and development, and quality of life.
- Comprehensive Evaluation & Management of Pediatric Abdominal Pain (Acute & Chronic): Thorough assessment to determine the cause of acute or chronic abdominal pain in children and adolescents, differentiating functional pain from organic disease.
- Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) & Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) in Infants & Children: Diagnosing and treating GERD in pediatric patients with lifestyle advice, medication, or further investigation. Diagnosis and management of EoE, including dietary elimination and medical therapies.
- Pediatric Endoscopy & Advanced Procedures (Upper Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Polypectomy): Performing diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures in children of all ages, often requiring specialized pediatric-sized equipment, sedation protocols tailored to children, and a child-friendly environment.
- Diagnosis & Lifelong Management of Celiac Disease in Children & Adolescents: Confirming celiac disease through serology and/or endoscopy with biopsies, and providing comprehensive education and support for a strict gluten-free diet, nutritional monitoring, and management of associated conditions.
- Pediatric Liver Disease & Hepatology Services (e.g., Biliary Atresia, Neonatal Cholestasis, Metabolic Liver Disease, Autoimmune Liver Disease): Specialized care for various acute and chronic liver conditions affecting infants and children, including diagnostic workup, medical management, and coordination with transplant teams if necessary.
Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific procedures and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Khan for care relevant to your specific condition.
All medical and surgical services (if applicable) are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant gastroenterological care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.
Dr. Khan practices within a well-equipped gastroenterology clinic situated in Ottawa's Elmvale Acres, Hawthorne Meadows, and Billings Bridge neighborhoods. The facility is conveniently located near Dow's Lake Pavilion, with easy access to public transit options via OC Transpo, including O-Train LRT and bus services. The location is wheelchair accessible, ensuring ease of access for all patients, and paid parking options are available nearby to accommodate families traveling by car. The clinic's central position allows families from various parts of Ottawa to access specialized pediatric digestive care with minimal inconvenience.
- Are consultations and procedures like endoscopies with Dr. Khan, a Pediatric Gastroenterologist, covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Pediatric Gastroenterologist like Dr. Khan, as well as most diagnostic procedures (e.g., endoscopies for investigating symptoms, biopsies for medical reasons) and treatments for provincially insured digestive conditions (e.g., IBD, celiac disease, screening colonoscopies as per provincial guidelines, liver disease management), are generally covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON when a referral from a family doctor or another specialist is in place. Procedures considered purely for screening outside of guidelines, or for non-medical reasons, and some advanced technologies or specific drug therapies might have different coverage. It's crucial to discuss coverage specifics for any proposed treatment or procedure with Dr. Khan's office, the hospital/clinic's financial services, or Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) beforehand.
- Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see Dr. Khan, a Pediatric Gastroenterologist?
- Yes, in nearly all cases, a referral from your family physician or another specialist (such as an internist or surgeon) is required to schedule an appointment with a Pediatric Gastroenterologist like Dr. Khan for services covered by the provincial health plan. Gastroenterological issues often require initial assessment and preliminary investigations by your primary care provider. The referral ensures that a specialist consultation is appropriate, helps with prioritizing appointments, and facilitates coordinated care, including the transfer of relevant medical information.
- Are there significant risks associated with procedures like gastroscopy or colonoscopy?
- Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) and colonoscopy are generally very safe procedures, especially when performed by an experienced Pediatric Gastroenterologist like Dr. Khan. Complications are uncommon. Potential risks can include bleeding, particularly if polyps are removed or biopsies are taken; perforation (a tear in the wall of the digestive tract); infection (rare); or adverse reactions to the sedative medication used. Before your procedure, Dr. Khan will thoroughly discuss the specific potential risks and benefits based on your individual health and the reason for the procedure, allowing you to make an informed decision.
- What are common reasons someone would be referred to a Gastroenterologist like Dr. {provider_name_doctor_last}?
- Referral to a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Khan is common for various reasons, including: persistent heartburn or acid reflux (GERD); difficulty or pain when swallowing; unexplained abdominal pain or bloating; chronic nausea or vomiting; significant changes in bowel habits (e.g., chronic diarrhea, severe constipation); blood in the stool or rectal bleeding; iron deficiency anemia with no obvious cause; suspected or diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis); Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) not responding to initial management; celiac disease; abnormal liver function tests or suspected liver disease (like hepatitis or fatty liver); pancreatitis; or for screening and surveillance colonoscopies to prevent colorectal cancer, especially if there's a family history or personal history of polyps.
- What is generally involved in preparing for a colonoscopy procedure?
- Preparing for a colonoscopy is a critical step to ensure the procedure is effective and safe. Dr. Khan's office will provide very specific instructions, which must be followed closely. Typically, preparation involves dietary changes for a few days beforehand (e.g., low-residue diet), followed by a clear liquid diet for the 24 hours prior to the exam. The most important part is the bowel cleansing process, which involves drinking a prescribed laxative solution designed to completely empty and clean your colon. This usually starts the evening before and may continue the morning of the procedure. You'll also need to arrange for transportation home, as sedation is commonly used.
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1
Phone: (613) 737-7600
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Khan is a licensed Pediatric Gastroenterologist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from a family physician or pediatrician is typically required for consultations with Dr. Khan for pediatric gastroenterology services covered by the provincial health plan.
Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Khan-Rabia-Zahid/0335875-128774