Current Environment: Production

Medical Services

Specialties

Programs & Services

Languages

  • English

Education

Medical School

Harvard Medical School

1977, Boston, MA

Internship

Boston Children's Hospital

1978, Boston, MA

Residency

Boston Children's Hospital

1980, Boston, MA

Fellowship

Gastroenterology

Boston Children's Hospital

1983, Boston, MA

Certifications

  • American Board of Pediatrics (Gastroenterology)
  • American Board of Pediatrics (General)

Professional History

Dr. Leichtner has spent all but 4 years of his career practicing pediatric gastroenterology at Boston Children’s Hospital and as director of clinical gastroenterology.   During this time, the division has expanded to include multiple centers and subspecialty programs as well as satellite offices.   In order to truly provide the best possible care for children with pediatric gastrointestinal disorders, Dr. Leichtner believes that it is necessary to have care provided by acknowledged experts in each disorder and to bring care to the community.  Over the last few years, he has personally focused on the care of children with celiac disease.  Boston Children’s Hospital has established a Celiac Disease Program and the Celiac Kid’s Connection, a group to support patients and families.  The physicians in the Celiac Disease Center are dedicated to providing the highest quality care, in a way that minimizes the trauma of testing to our patients.  Dr. Leichtner has also been very interested in patient and family education and has created videos for families and comic books for children to help them understand chronic gastrointestinal disorders.

Publications

  1. From Bystander-to-Upstander: A Novel Intervention Framework to Address Microaggressions in a Pediatric Academic Medical Center. Acad Pediatr. 2024 Dec 27; 102630. View Abstract

  2. 'Blood and guts': Interleaving gastroenterology and haematology physiology. Med Educ. 2024 11; 58(11):1393-1394. View Abstract

  3. The Closing of an Academic Children's Hospital: Ethical Considerations for Graduate Medical Education. J Grad Med Educ. 2024 Aug; 16(4):395-398. View Abstract

  4. How to define yourself as a medical educator along the path to academic promotion. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024 Aug; 79(2):202-205. View Abstract

  5. Lost in the pandemic: COVID-19's impact on health professions educators. Clin Teach. 2024 Oct; 21(5):e13764. View Abstract

  6. Lack of standardization and faculty development in pediatric colonoscopy: A qualitative study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024 Apr; 78(4):948-956. View Abstract

  7. Beyond the Workshop: Results From a Longitudinal, Interprofessional Teaching Certificate Program. J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2023 Jan-Dec; 10:23821205231205433. View Abstract

  8. Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 Haploinsufficiency Presenting As Refractory Celiac-Like Disease: Case Report. Front Immunol. 2022; 13:894648. View Abstract

  9. Creating a health equity and inclusion office in an academic pediatric medical center: priorities addressed and lessons learned. Pediatr Radiol. 2022 08; 52(9):1776-1785. View Abstract

  10. Non-responsive celiac disease in children on a gluten free diet. World J Gastroenterol. 2021 Apr 07; 27(13):1311-1320. View Abstract

  11. North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Position Paper on Entrustable Professional Activities: Development of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Entrustable Professional Activities. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2020 07; 71(1):136-143. View Abstract

  12. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Entrustable Professional Activities: Development of an Assessment Tool and Curricular Resources. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2020 07; 71(1):e40-e45. View Abstract

  13. Visiting Jack: Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Virtual Home Visit Curriculum With a Child With Medical Complexity. Acad Pediatr. 2020 Sep - Oct; 20(7):1020-1028. View Abstract

  14. Use of Nazi torture device image in digital scholarship article. Med Teach. 2020 06; 42(6):717-718. View Abstract

  15. Training in Endoscopy: Coaching, Deliberate Practice, and Reflection. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2019 03; 68(3):298-300. View Abstract

  16. Interprofessional provider educational needs and preferences regarding the provision of sexual and reproductive health care in cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros. 2019 09; 18(5):671-676. View Abstract

  17. Red Spot Lesions in the Duodenal Bulb Are a Highly Specific Endoscopic Sign of Celiac Disease: A Prospective Study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2019 02; 68(2):251-255. View Abstract

  18. Lack of Follow-up of Pediatric Patients With Celiac Disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 11; 17(12):2603-2604. View Abstract

  19. Phenotype, penetrance, and treatment of 133 cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-insufficient subjects. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018 12; 142(6):1932-1946. View Abstract

  20. Objective Assessment of Fellows: Doable and Worth Doing. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2017 04; 64(4):498-500. View Abstract

  21. Value of IgA tTG in Predicting Mucosal Recovery in Children With Celiac Disease on a Gluten-Free Diet. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2017 02; 64(2):286-291. View Abstract

  22. The Boston Children's Hospital Academy: Development and Initial Assessment of a Hospital-Based Teaching Academy. Acad Med. 2016 12; 91(12):1651-1654. View Abstract

  23. 'Constipation Challenge' game improves guideline knowledge and implementation. Med Educ. 2016 May; 50(5):589-90. View Abstract

  24. Shared care: a quality improvement initiative to optimize primary care management of constipation. Pediatrics. 2015 May; 135(5):e1300-7. View Abstract

  25. Early-onset Crohn's disease and autoimmunity associated with a variant in CTLA-4. Gut. 2015 Dec; 64(12):1889-97. View Abstract

  26. Assessment tools: the next frontier in competency-based medical education. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014 Oct; 59(4):425-7. View Abstract

  27. Graduate medical education in humanism and professionalism: a needs assessment survey of pediatric gastroenterology fellows. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014 Jan; 58(1):34-7. View Abstract

  28. NASPGHAN guidelines for training in pediatric gastroenterology. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2013 Jan; 56 Suppl 1:S1-8. View Abstract

  29. Navigating the gluten-free diet in college. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012 Dec; 55(6):740-4. View Abstract

  30. Multicenter study on season of birth and celiac disease: evidence for a new theoretical model of pathogenesis. J Pediatr. 2013 Mar; 162(3):501-4. View Abstract

  31. Pediatric gastroenterology fellowship: is the match working? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010 Aug; 51(2):243-4. View Abstract

  32. Variability of histopathological changes in childhood celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 Jan; 105(1):207-12. View Abstract

  33. Restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in children. Dis Colon Rectum. 2009 Sep; 52(9):1645-9. View Abstract

  34. First evidence of a possible association between gastric acid suppression during pregnancy and childhood asthma: a population-based register study. Clin Exp Allergy. 2009 Feb; 39(2):246-53. View Abstract

  35. Desquamative enteropathy and pyloric atresia without skin disease caused by a novel intracellular beta4 integrin mutation. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008 Nov; 47(5):585-91. View Abstract

  36. Clinical significance of colonic intraepithelial lymphocytosis in a pediatric population. Mod Pathol. 2009 Jan; 22(1):13-20. View Abstract

  37. Fellowship training in pediatric gastroenterology in the United States: where are we going? Does one size fit all? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008 Sep; 47(3):274-6. View Abstract

  38. Clinical effects and safety of rituximab for treatment of refractory pediatric autoimmune diseases. J Pediatr. 2007 Apr; 150(4):376-82. View Abstract

  39. Celiac disease presenting with chilblains in an adolescent girl. Pediatr Dermatol. 2006 Sep-Oct; 23(5):451-4. View Abstract

  40. Serologic testing with ANCA, ASCA, and anti-OmpC in children and young adults with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: diagnostic value and correlation with disease phenotype. Am J Gastroenterol. 2004 Nov; 99(11):2235-41. View Abstract

  41. Depressive symptoms and inflammatory bowel disease in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004 Oct; 39(4):395-403. View Abstract

  42. Pediatric patients with untreated ulcerative colitis may present initially with unusual morphologic findings. Am J Surg Pathol. 2004 Feb; 28(2):190-7. View Abstract

  43. Retrospective study of hepatic enzyme elevations in children treated with olanzapine, divalproex, and their combination. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2003 Oct; 42(10):1227-33. View Abstract

  44. Complementary medicine use in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002 Feb; 97(2):382-8. View Abstract

  45. Elevated serum hepatocyte growth factor in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2001 Nov; 33(5):548-53. View Abstract

  46. Oral tacrolimus treatment of severe colitis in children. J Pediatr. 2000 Dec; 137(6):794-9. View Abstract

  47. Allergic esophagitis in children: a clinicopathological entity. Am J Surg Pathol. 1999 Apr; 23(4):390-6. View Abstract

  48. Human intestinal M cells display the sialyl Lewis A antigen. Infect Immun. 1999 Feb; 67(2):946-53. View Abstract

  49. Elevated serum vascular endothelial growth factor in children and young adults with Crohn's disease. Dig Dis Sci. 1999 Feb; 44(2):424-30. View Abstract

  50. Quality-of-life assessment after ileoanal pull-through for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. J Pediatr Surg. 1999 Jan; 34(1):163-6. View Abstract

  51. Aluminum in large and small volume parenterals used in total parenteral nutrition: response to the Food and Drug Administration notice of proposed rule by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1998 Oct; 27(4):457-60. View Abstract

  52. Gastrointestinal manifestations of vascular anomalies in childhood: varied etiologies require multiple therapeutic modalities. J Pediatr Surg. 1998 Jul; 33(7):1163-7. View Abstract

  53. Serum leptin in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1998 May; 26(5):500-5. View Abstract

  54. Vitamins A and E serum levels in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease: effect of disease activity. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1998 Feb; 26(2):129-35. View Abstract

  55. Clinical outcome of ulcerative proctitis in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1997 Aug; 25(2):149-52. View Abstract

  56. Surgery for Crohn's disease in infants and children. J Pediatr Surg. 1997 Jul; 32(7):1063-7; discussion 1067-8. View Abstract

  57. Serum basic fibroblast growth factor in pediatric Crohn's disease. Implications for wound healing. Dig Dis Sci. 1997 Feb; 42(2):378-86. View Abstract

  58. Complications following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and subsequent catheter replacement in children and young adults. Gastrointest Endosc. 1997 Jan; 45(1):64-71. View Abstract

  59. Tacrolimus (FK-506) treatment of fulminant colitis in a child. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1996 Oct; 23(3):329-33. View Abstract

  60. Elevation of serum interleukin-6 but not serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor in children with Crohn's disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1996 Aug; 23(2):164-71. View Abstract

  61. Gastric and esophageal intraepithelial lymphocytes in pediatric celiac disease. Am J Surg Pathol. 1996 Jul; 20(7):865-70. View Abstract

  62. Treatment of pediatric autoimmune enteropathy with tacrolimus (FK506). Gastroenterology. 1996 Jul; 111(1):237-43. View Abstract

  63. Long-term hepatic regeneration and function in infants and children following liver resection. J Am Coll Surg. 1996 Jun; 182(6):515-9. View Abstract

  64. Intraoperative enteroscopy in the diagnosis of partial intestinal obstruction in infancy. Dig Dis Sci. 1995 Oct; 40(10):2236-8. View Abstract

  65. Aminosalicylates for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1995 Oct; 21(3):245-52. View Abstract

  66. Endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1995 Feb; 20(2):202-8. View Abstract

  67. Allergic colitis in infants. J Pediatr. 1995 Feb; 126(2):163-70. View Abstract

  68. Medical therapies for pediatric gastrointestinal disease. Subcommittee on Therapeutics of the Patient Care Committee North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1994 Apr; 18(3):269. View Abstract

  69. Long-term nutritional and metabolic consequences of pancreaticoduodenectomy in children. Surgery. 1994 Mar; 115(3):382-8. View Abstract

  70. Allergic proctocolitis in infants: a prospective clinicopathologic biopsy study. Hum Pathol. 1993 Jun; 24(6):668-74. View Abstract

  71. The antegrade colonogram: extending the small bowel follow through for children suspected of having colonic disease. Pediatr Radiol. 1992; 22(8):573-6. View Abstract

  72. Pancreatitis following scoliosis surgery in children and young adults. J Pediatr Orthop. 1991 Sep-Oct; 11(5):594-8. View Abstract

  73. Longitudinal assessment of type I procollagen in children with inflammatory bowel disease subjected to surgery. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1989 Jan; 8(1):68-74. View Abstract

  74. Carbohydrate malabsorption following fruit juice ingestion in young children. Pediatrics. 1988 Jul; 82(1):64-8. View Abstract

  75. Relationship of type I procollagen to corticosteroid therapy in children with inflammatory bowel disease. J Pediatr. 1988 Jun; 112(6):893-8. View Abstract

  76. Clinical and laboratory correlates of esophagitis in young children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1988 Jan-Feb; 7(1):52-6. View Abstract

  77. Hypertension associated with unilateral hydronephrosis as a complication of Crohn's disease. J Pediatr Surg. 1987 Nov; 22(11):1049-50. View Abstract

  78. Cyclosporine treatment of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. Gastroenterology. 1987 Oct; 93(4):890-3. View Abstract

  79. Type 1 procollagen as a biochemical marker of growth in children with inflammatory bowel disease. J Pediatr. 1986 Oct; 109(4):619-24. View Abstract

  80. Effect of metoclopramide on prolonged intraesophageal pH testing in infants with gastroesophageal reflux. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1986 Sep-Oct; 5(5):716-20. View Abstract

  81. Chronic diarrhea associated with hypogammaglobulinemia and enteropathy in infants and children. Dig Dis Sci. 1985 Dec; 30(12):1149-55. View Abstract

  82. Cerebral vascular accident during the recovery phase of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Int J Pediatr Nephrol. 1985 Oct-Dec; 6(4):287-8. View Abstract

  83. Discordance for biliary atresia in two sets of monozygotic twins. J Pediatr. 1985 Sep; 107(3):420-2. View Abstract

  84. Apple juice. An unappreciated cause of chronic diarrhea. Am J Dis Child. 1985 May; 139(5):503-5. View Abstract

  85. Pseudopheochromocytoma and cardiac arrest associated with phenylpropanolamine. JAMA. 1985 Mar 15; 253(11):1609-10. View Abstract

  86. Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in infants and children. J Pediatr. 1985 Jan; 106(1):1-9. View Abstract

  87. Regulation of low density lipoprotein receptor function in a human hepatoma cell line. Hepatology. 1984 Sep-Oct; 4(5):897-901. View Abstract

  88. Addition of a mannose-6-phosphate-containing oligosaccharide alters cellular processing of low density lipoprotein by parental and LDL-receptor-defective Chinese hamster ovary cells. J Cell Sci. 1984 Jun; 68:183-94. View Abstract

  89. Horizontal nonparenteral spread of hepatitis B among children. Ann Intern Med. 1981 Mar; 94(3):346-9. View Abstract

My goal has always been to provide the best standard of care for my patients. I never recommend anything that I wouldn’t do for a family member with the same condition. I strongly believe that decision-making in healthcare should be collaboration between the healthcare team and the patient and family. In order to make this collaboration work well, communication is key.

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