Overview
A Barium Enema (BE) is an x-ray exam of the large intestine. This exam requires us to fill your child's large intestine (colon) with a liquid contrast called barium. You will be able to stay with your child during the exam. Siblings will not be permitted in the exam room, please have someone accompany you to the hospital if siblings must come with you, so they may stay with them in the waiting room. If you are pregnant you will not be permitted in the exam room, please have someone accompany you to the hospital that is willing to stay with your child during the exam.
Preparation for the exam:
Children under 2 yrs. should not have anything to eat or drink 3 hours prior to the exam
Children 2-6 years should not have anything to eat or drink from midnight before the exam and get a Ducolax suppository 3 hours prior to the exam. This may be purchased at your local pharmacy, and does not require a prescription.
Children 7 yrs. and older should not have anything to eat or drink from midnight before the exam, a Ducolax suppository in the evening before the exam, and a Ducolax suppository the morning before the exam. These suppositories may be purchased at your local pharmacy and do not require a prescription.
Appointment time:
Your appointment will be scheduled ahead of time by the hospital booking office. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your exam, as you will be required to register and also visit our billing office. Please keep in mind that our hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and emergencies often arise beyond our control. Occasionally this may delay the start of your exam. Another thing to be aware of is that we have many x-ray rooms in our department, and certain exams may only be performed in certain rooms. The order in which you arrive in our department may not necessarily be the order in which you are taken into an exam room due to room availability.
Your Childs Barium Enema:
You and your child will be escorted into the exam room by a radiologic technologist. Your child will have to change into a hospital gown, and a plain x-ray film will be taken to ensure that the preparation for the exam was followed correctly. The radiologist will enter the room and take a brief history from you so that he/she will be able to perform an accurate study for your child. A small tube will be inserted into your childs rectum that allows us to fill their colon with barium. Your child will be placed carefully and gently in various positions while the radiologist uses a special x-ray camera called a fluoroscope to take pictures of you child's anatomy. This exam will be uncomfortable for your child, however it should not be painful. The exam is typically very quick, and usually takes no more than 15 minutes from when the tube is inserted. Please keep in mind that you will not be able to hold your child once the tube is inserted. It is important that you follow the radiologist's instructions in helping us position your child for various films necessary in an accurate study and proper diagnosis. Once it is determined that all the x-ray pictures have been taken and your childs anatomy has been properly visualized, the tube will be removed and your child will be permitted to go to the bathroom. If you do not think you will be able to handle being in the room with your child in an uncomfortable state, please let us know before the exam. It is important that you try and explain the procedure to your child before the exam, if they are old enough to realize the importance of this test. The total exam time should be about 45 minutes from when you enter the exam room until you are permitted to leave. If Hirschprungs Disease is a concern of your pediatrician, a 24 hour delay film will be required. You will have to return to our department the following day where a plain x-ray film will be taken of your child's abdomen.
The conclusion of your exam:
Your child may eat and drink immediately following the exam. Please be sure to have them drink plenty of liquids so the barium does not cause constipation. It is also very important to reinforce that they were well behaved and did a "good job". Please do not instill negative thoughts into your child as often occurs, such as "the mean people are done now, we can go" or the "mean doctor" left the room and we don't ever have to do that again. There may come a time when your child may have to visit our department again, and we want them to have a positive experience here.
Results:
The results of your child's exam will usually be sent to your pediatrician the same day. You may get the results from your pediatrician
