David S. Vitale, MD
- Director, Interventional Endoscopy Center
- Pancreas Care Center
- Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
- Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
- david.vitale@cchmc.org
- Board Certified
About
Biography
As a pediatric gastroenterologist, I care for children with complex pancreas, biliary and other gastrointestinal diseases.
I know that decisions in medicine, gastroenterology and specifically pancreatitis are not always clear-cut. I closely involve my patients and their families in the decision-making process about their care and work to understand how they approach their condition. I listen to their concerns and answer their questions. Together, we find the best individualized treatment plan.
I specialize in advanced pediatric endoscopic techniques, including pediatric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), among other advanced techniques. As a member of Cincinnati Children’s Pancreas Care Center, I care for children with complex pancreatic and biliary disease and other gastrointestinal problems requiring advanced endoscopic techniques.
My strong interest in biliary and pancreatic disease and advanced endoscopy began in high school, when I first learned about this area of medicine. I trained in residency and fellowship to care for both children and adults. As I continued to train, I knew I wanted to care for patients with these disease processes and learn advanced endoscopy to help them.
Although fewer children require advanced endoscopy procedures than adults, there are few pediatric endoscopy specialists and few gastroenterologists who focus on pediatric pancreatic and biliary disease. The need for pediatric endoscopy and pancreatic specialists, combined with the fact that working with children is much more fun, made my career choice an easy one.
My research focuses on investigating the safety and outcomes for pediatric advanced endoscopic procedures. Additionally, I am studying pancreatitis to learn why some patients develop severe or chronic pancreatitis, while others do not.
When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and our two dogs. I also love to cook, hike and travel.
MD: University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 2011.
Residency: Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 2011-2015.
Fellowship: Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2015-2018.
Fellowship: Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 2018-2019.
Certification: Internal Medicine, 2015; Pediatrics, 2017; Pediatric Gastroenterology, 2019.
Interests
Interventional endoscopy; endoscopic retrograde cholaniogopancreatography (ERCP); endoscopic ultrasound (EUS); pediatric advanced endoscopy; pediatric pancreatitis
Services and Specialties
Gastroenterology GI, Pancreas Care, Liver Care, Liver Transplant, Liver Tumor, Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Intestinal Disorders, Cincinnati Childrens Intestinal Care Center CCICC
Interests
Pediatric advanced endoscopy safety and outcomes; pediatric pancreatitis
Research Areas
Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition
Additional Languages
French
Insurance Information
Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.
Publications
Clinical and imaging predictors for the development of diabetes mellitus following a single episode of acute pancreatitis in youth. Digestive and Liver Disease. 2025; 57:519-525.
Liberal Fluid Resuscitation is Associated with Improved Outcomes in Pediatric Acute Pancreatitis. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2025; 276:114329.
Pediatric acute pancreatitis fluid management: under-resuscitation is associated with higher rates of progression to severe acute pancreatitis outcomes. Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.]. 2024; 24:e58-e59.
The role of pancreatitis risk genes in diabetes development post index admission of acute pancreatitis in children. Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.]. 2024; 24:e10-e11.
Genetic mutations and tumor location are associated with acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis in pediatric patients with pancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasms. Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.]. 2024; 24:e96-e97.
Total pancreatectomy with islet auto-transplantation (TPIAT) for pancreatitis in pediatric patients results in clinically significant decreased opioid use, and improved patient outcomes post-TPIAT. Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.]. 2024; 24:e2-e3.
Endoscopic cystostomy and biliary sphincterotomy for choledochoceles: A pediatric case series. 2024; 5:475-479.
Magnetic resonance imaging T1 mapping of the liver, pancreas and spleen in children. Abdominal Radiology. 2024; 49:3963-3974.
Nutritional parameters following first episode of pediatric acute pancreatitis. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. 2024; 63:409-416.
The Role of Pancreatitis Risk Genes in Endocrine Insufficiency Development After Acute Pancreatitis in Children. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2024; 22:2033-2043.e2.
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
© 1999-2025 Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. All rights reserved.
Patient Ratings and Comments
All patient satisfaction ratings and comments are submitted by actual patients and verified by a leading independent patient satisfaction company, NRC Health. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Only those providers whose satisfaction surveys are administered through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center are displayed. Click here to learn more about our survey