A short animation for children about what to expect before and during an upper endoscopy. Please note - some content is specific to America and may not be relevant to New Zealand. Your hospital’s process may differ.
Video by Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
Key points about a gastroscopy in children
- a gastroscopy is a procedure that looks inside the upper part of the digestive tract
- gastroscopies help doctors diagnose and manage medical conditions
- tamariki (children) can usually go home on the same day as their procedure
- your child will have an anaesthetic to put them to sleep during the procedure
- if your child is unwell after their gastroscopy, contact the hospital or take them to see a doctor
What is a gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy is a procedure that looks inside the upper part of the digestive tract. It looks at the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach and the first part of the small bowel (duodenum).
A gastroscope is a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light on the end. The doctor puts the gastroscope into the mouth and moves it down towards the stomach. The doctor can look inside and take small samples of tissue (biopsies) if needed.
A gastroenterologist will perform the gastroscopy. A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specialises in the digestive system.
A doctor might sometimes do a colonoscopy at the same time as a gastroscopy. A colonoscopy looks at the lower part of the digestive tract.
See the KidsHealth page on colonoscopy for more information
Reasons for doing a gastroscopy
Find a cause for symptoms
A gastroscopy helps doctors to diagnose medical conditions. Some of the reasons a child may need a gastroscopy is to find a cause for:
- tummy pain
- difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck in the food pipe
- nausea and vomiting
- bleeding from the digestive tract
- loose, watery poo (diarrhoea)
- growth problems
Monitor a medical condition
If your child has an ongoing medical condition such as eosinophilic oesophagitis, they may need regular gastrocopies. Gastroscopies help doctors monitor for changes inside the digestive tract and can help them see if certain treatments are working.
See the KidsHealth page on eosinophilic oesophagitis for more information.
Take biopsies
During the gastroscopy, the doctor can take tiny tissue samples from the lining of the digestive tract. These tissue samples are called biopsies. Biopsies are looked at under a microscope in the laboratory. The results of biopsies can help confirm whether or not your child has certain medical conditions. It can take a few weeks to get biopsy results.
Remove something that is stuck
If tamariki swallow something that gets stuck in the food pipe, they may need to have a gastroscopy to remove it. This includes batteries and magnets. If your child swallows a battery or magnet, take them to the emergency department as soon as possible.
See the KidsHealth page on button battery dangers for more information.
See the KidsHealth page on magnet dangers for more information.
Preparing for a gastroscopy
Fasting
Your child will not be able to eat for a certain time period before their procedure. Check their appointment letter for instructions on when they need to stop eating food, as this may be the day before their gastroscopy.
After all food is stopped, your child can only have clear fluids. Clear fluids can be seen through easily.
Clear fluids and drinks include:
- water
- lemonade and lemonade ice blocks
- cordial
- clear sports drinks or oral rehydration drinks
Milk and fresh fruit juice are not clear fluids.
What happens during a gastroscopy
Fasting
Your child will not be able to eat for a time period before their gastroscopy. They can have clear fluids up to a certain time. Check their appointment letter for instructions on when they need to stop eating and drinking.
General anaesthetic
Your child will have a light anaesthetic to put them to sleep during the procedure.
See the KidsHealth page on anaesthetic for more information.
Procedure timing
The procedure usually takes around 20 minutes but may take longer, depending on the doctor's findings.
If your child is having a colonoscopy at the same time as a gastroscopy, the procedure will take longer.
See the KidsHealth page on colonoscopy for more information
Recovery
After the procedure, your child will go to a recovery area where you can join them.
Going home after a gastroscopy
A gastroscopy is a day procedure. Tamariki can usually go home the same day.
What to expect after a gastroscopy
Rest
After your child has gone home, they should rest for the remainder of the day. They should be able to return to their usual activities, like school, the following day.
Diet
Once you are home, your child can eat a light diet when they feel like eating.
Light foods include things like:
- soup
- pasta
- sandwiches
- jelly
The day after their procedure, they can return to eating nromally if they feel ready.
Pēpi (babies) can start breastfeeding or drinking formula or water as soon as they wake up from their procedure.
Anaesthetic
Because of the anaesthetic, rangatahi (young people) should not operate machinery, drive or make important decisions for the rest of the day after their procedure.
Results
A doctor or nurse will speak to you after the procedure to let you know how it went. If your child had biopsies taken, it can take a few weeks to get the results. The doctor or nurse will make a plan with you on how to follow up on these results. They may ask you to contact your child’s GP clinic after a few weeks if you haven’t had any results back.
Side effects from having a gastroscopy
Tamariki may have side effects following a gastroscopy. If you have any concerns, you should contact the hospital or take them to see a doctor.
Nausea and vomiting
If your child feels sick after their procedure, stop them from eating and drinking for 30 minutes. You can then offer them clear fluids. If they feel ready, you can slowly increase what they eat and drink.
Sore throat
Tamariki may complain of a sore throat after their gastroscopy. If they are old enough, allow them to suck on throat lozenges. Sipping on warm fluids can also help soothe a sore throat.
Mild tummy pain and bloating
Mild tummy pain can occur after a gastroscopy. Make sure your child rests and offer them sips of clear fluid until it settles.
Bleeding
Sometimes there can be a small amount of blood in the spit after a gastroscopy. This can happen if biopsies were taken during the procedure.
When to get medical help after a gastroscopy
Call the hospital or take your child to see a doctor if they experience any of the following after their gastroscopy:
- more than 3 vomits
- a vomit with more than half a teaspoon of bright red blood in it
- difficulty swallowing
- severe tummy pain
- severe bloating
- fever (temperature over 38 degrees Celsius)
- they appear unwell or difficult to settle
If you have any concerns, you should contact the hospital or take them to see a doctor.
Acknowledgements
Illustration by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
