Overview:
An Upper GI (Esophogram) and small bowel series require your child to swallow a barium liquid so radiologists can view the digestive tract. You may stay with your child during the exam, but siblings are not allowed in the exam room — please bring someone to wait with them. If you are pregnant, you cannot be in the exam room; please arrange for another adult 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.
Appointment time:
An appointment will be scheduled by the hospital booking office. Please arrive 15 minutes early to register and visit the billing office. Because we are a Level 1 Trauma Center, emergencies sometimes arise and may delay your exam. We also have multiple x‑ray rooms and not every exam is done in every room, so the order you arrive may not be the order you are taken into an exam room.
Your Child's UGI/ Esophogram/Small Bowel Series:
A technologist will escort you and your child into the exam room. Your child will change into a hospital gown and we will take a quick x‑ray to confirm preparation was followed. The radiologist will briefly ask questions about your child’s health before the exam begins.
How the exam is done:
Babies still on a bottle will be given barium in a bottle; older children will drink barium through a straw. The radiologist uses a fluoroscope (a live x‑ray camera) to watch and photograph the digestive tract as your child swallows the barium. If your child will not drink the barium, a thin tube may be passed through the mouth or nose into the stomach to deliver the barium. This is used only as a last resort and may be uncomfortable. Once the exam begins you will not be able to hold your child. Please follow the radiologist’s instructions to help turn or position your child as needed.
Timing:
The exam itself usually takes about 20–30 minutes.
If a Small Bowel Series is also required, this can take up to 2 hours.
For a standard UGI/esophagram, expect about 45 minutes from when you enter the exam room until you leave.
The conclusion of your exam:
Your child may eat and drink immediately following the exam. Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids to help move the barium through their system and reduce the chance of constipation. Please praise your child for cooperating — simple, positive comments (for example, “You did a great job”) help reduce anxiety about future visits. Try to avoid negative language about staff or the procedure; calling the experience “scary” or referring to staff as “mean” can make future appointments harder for your child.
If you have questions about aftercare or expect any problems (for example, severe abdominal pain or no bowel movement after a few days), contact your pediatrician or our department
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.