THE pIBD DIGEST

This special episode of THE PIBD DIGEST honours Dr Sandhia Naik, the much loved paediatric gastroenterologist who retires from the Royal London Hospital after an extraordinary career. Known affectionately as “Didi”—an endearing Hindi term for an elder sister—she has been a guiding presence within the paediatric GI community for decades. In our conversation, Didi reflects on IBD and ethnicity, draw...

In this episode of THE pIBD DIGEST, we’re joined by Prof Emeritus Ian Sanderson — a true legend in paediatric gastroenterology. His pioneering work has shaped how we treat paediatric IBD today, including the widespread use of exclusive enteral nutrition. Through his work with BSPGHAN, he also helped bring structure to specialist GRID training in the UK—so many of us quite literally have him to tha...

This week, THE pIBD DIGEST hits a true bottom-line milestone — surgeons join the podcast for the very first time to tackle one of the most sensitive (and least sat-on) topics in paediatric IBD. Kicking things off, Mr Hemanshoo Thakkar, paediatric surgeon at Evelina London, takes on the challenge — feared by abscesses, outsmarting fistulae, and always determined to get to the bottom of the problem…...

In this episode of THE pIBD DIGEST, we mark World IBD Day with a global mentor and leading PIBD expert, Prof Anne Griffiths (SickKids, Toronto). No talk of purple—just a masterclass in navigating the grey zones of advanced therapy positioning in IBD. Complex questions? Handled with ease. Nuances? Dissected flawlessly with the calm authority of someone who has truly seen it all. We wrap things up o...

In this episode of THE PIBD Digest, we travel to Tokyo for an inspiring and uplifting conversation with Professor Katsuhiro Arai or “Sunny” —a paediatric gastroenterologist whose warmth is as striking as his scientific expertise. Sunny is also President-Elect of the Asia Pacific Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Chair of its Scientific Committee. With trademark...

In this episode of THE pIBD DIGEST, we pack our virtual bags and head to Saudi Arabia to explore the evolving landscape of paediatric IBD. Our guide is Dr Ali Zaidan, paediatric gastroenterologist from Jeddah, who gives us an honest, practical view of what pIBD really looks like in day to day clinical practice. We talk about some uniquely important regional factors, including consanguinity and its...

In Part 2 of our BSPGHAN IBD series, we’re joined by Dr Christian Selinger, adult gastroenterologist from Leeds, who paints a rather lovely picture of paediatric IBD care—while also gently bursting the bubble that, in several domains, we still have plenty to learn from our adult IBD colleagues. In the second half of the episode, Dr Aaron Bancil from The Royal London Hospital takes us into the worl...

Straight from the halls of BSPGHAN Leeds 2026—where we expertly (and entirely coincidentally) “borrowed” two outstanding paediatric gastroenterologists from the conference floor—we bring you the highlights you meant to catch… but didn’t. In part one of this two episode series, we lightly ambush Dr Neil Chanchlani and Dr Rebecca Little for a rapid-fire debrief (purely in the name of education, of c...

In this episode, our globetrotting gut-adventures continue—virtual passports in hand—as we touch down in Malaysia. Joining us is Dr Kee Seang Chew, who guides us through the evolving landscape of paediatric IBD: the emerging trends, current treatment approaches, and the very real challenges faced by clinicians and families on the ground. As we zoom out for a wider view, Dr Chew offers valuable ins...

In this second episode of our two-part series with Professor Dan Turner, hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell wade bravely back into the murky waters of advanced combination therapy in IBD. This is uncharted territory—where the evidence is emerging, the decisions are nuanced, and the stakes are high. Because, as in life, not every partnership stands the test of time. Some combinations thriv...

In this special anniversary episode of the PIBD Digest Podcast, we’re delighted to welcome global IBD leader Dan Turner for an engaging and wide-ranging conversation. We explore how a tasty and healthy diet can play a meaningful role in managing IBD—because good medicine doesn’t always have to taste bad. Along the way, we zoom out to discuss the bigger picture of modern IBD care, including evolvin...

The exotic IBD world tour rolls on! After touching down in India, hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell hop over (virtually) to the Lion City for the latest episode of THE pIBD DIGEST. They’re joined by Singapore’s very own paediatric IBD expert, Dr James Huang, who delivers a fascinating tour of the pIBD landscape in Singapore. From the practical realities of switching biologics to navigati...

Join us on a virtual journey across India as we explore the changing face of paediatric IBD in one of the world’s most diverse countries. As pIBD becomes increasingly recognised across the subcontinent, Dr Rohan Malik—Additional Professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi—shares insights into the challenges of diagnosis and delivering high-quality care across a vast...

Ring out the tinsel and ring in 2026! After the Christmas special, Professor Lissy de Ridder returns to THE PIBD Digest to kick off the new year with Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell. This first episode of 2026 dives head-first into advanced therapies, from biologics to small molecules—served with real-world experience, practical pearls, and an honest look at the challenges clinicians actuall...

In this festive Christmas special of THE pIBD DIGEST, hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell are joined by Professor Lissy De Ridder, incoming Chair of ESPGHAN's IBD Porto Group (European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition), for a lively and insightful discussion on investigator-initiated trials in paediatric IBD—and how clinician-led research is driving better c...

In the second episode of the Intestinal Ultrasound (IUS) series, hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell continue their mission to unravel what it really takes to set up an IUS service in IBD clinics. They’re joined first by Dr Nik Plevris, an adult gastroenterologist from Edinburgh, who offers a detailed—and impressively honest—tour through the range of challenges involved in building a new s...

THE pIBD DIGEST goes full “Mission: IUS” in this two-part extravaganza! This episode explores the rising star of IBD monitoring — Intestinal Ultrasound (IUS) — as hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell dive into the buzz with an expert squad: paediatric radiology wizard Dr Richard Jenkins and adult gastro gurus Dr Krishna Shah and Dr William Blad. Together, they unpack what it takes to master...

This week on THE pIBD DIGEST, we welcome Professor Richard Russell — outgoing Chair of the European society of paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (ESPGHAN) IBD Porto Group, champion of paediatric IBD innovation, and proud bearer of both biologic expertise and bagpipes. Joined by hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell, he explores the Porto Group’s pivotal work in internatio...

In this episode of THE pIBD DIGEST, Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell grab their metaphorical lab coats and magnifying glasses as they embark on a genomic safari with none other than Professor Sarah Ennis. Together, they venture deep into the tangled jungle of DNA to decode the mysteries behind Genomic Shenanigans in IBD. As genomics rapidly takes over the medical landscape (one base pair at a...

In this episode of the pIBD DIGEST, Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell welcome a very special guest: the chair of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), Dr Shahida Din. The trio dive deep into the world of placebo trials in IBD, exploring not just the science, but also the very real harms and challenges these trials bring. It’s a rare treat (or should we say placebo effect?) to have an...

In this episode of the pIBD DIGEST Masterclass, Dr Coelho and Dr Bakewell don their tour-guide hats for a grand-round city tour of London, Liverpool, Southampton, and Sheffield. But forget Big Ben and The Beatles — today’s attraction is the world of JAK-inhibitors in IBD. On board the double-decker panel are: • Prof Tony Williams – the immune system whisperer • Courtney Preston, Helen Doble & Melo...

In this latest globe-spanning edition of ‘THE pIBD DIGEST’, Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell embark on a virtual visit to Canada where they explore the environmental factors fuelling the rising incidence of IBD. Joining them is the ever-insightful Dr Eric Benchimol—a clinical academic, IBDologist, and Toronto-based superstar of IBD epidemiology. Together, the group unpacks key contributors to...

In this episode of THE PIBD DIGEST, Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell welcome a true heavyweight in the world of monogenic IBD, Dr Jochen Kammermeier- a paediatric gastroenterologist at Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, and bona fide gene whisperer, who helps us untangle the twisted helix of monogenic IBD. Expect a deep dive into sharp gene talk and insightful immunology, and — of course —...

In this episode of THE pIBD DIGEST, hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell are joined by Dr Mary Halsey, a clinical psychologist, for an insightful discussion on the emotional and functional challenges that often accompany a diagnosis of IBD. Dr Halsey shares practical strategies to support the psychological well-being of children living with IBD, as well as their families, highlighting the i...

In this episode, hosts Dr Chris Bakewell and Dr Tracy Coelho pack their virtual suitcases and jet off (in spirit) to the UAE in The pIBD DIGEST – Dubai Safari. They're joined by a very special guest, Dr Christos Tzivinikos – Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital and Associate Clinical Professor at the MBRU School of Medicine, Dubai. Together, they delv...