Clinical Program

Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment and Research

Colonoscopy Preparations Liquids, Laxative and Enemas

Preparation Helpful Hints
  • 1 day full liquid
  • Milk, yogurt, cream soups, pudding
  • 1 day clear liquid
  • Clear juices, Gatorade, jello, popsicles, clear soup broth
  • Laxative both evenings of prep
  • Enema
  • Enema morning of test
  • Prepare child for what to expect
  • Pack school lunches
  • Inform teachers and school nurse
  • Laxative may be in pill or liquid form
  • Dilligence to diet is essential for an optimal cleaning
  • Explain reason for enemas


Fleets Phosphosoda

Information Helpful Hints
  • Used for older children (6 and up)
  • Must drink 24-32 ounces of clear liquids with each dose to ensure no electrolyte imbalance occurs
  • 1 day clear liquid
  • Clear juices, Gatorade, jello, popsicles, clear soup broth
  • Contraindicated in children with kidney or heart disease
  • Dilution solution
  • Divide entire dose into 3-8 ounce glasses of any clear liquid
  • Use a straw, drink it over ice
  • Start early in the day to avoid an "all nighter"
  • Drink, drink and drink some more!


Go-lytely, Nu-lytely, Co-lyte

Information Helpful Hints
  • Light breakfast allowed
  • Must drink a large volume of preparation liquid
  • Start early in the day
  • Need physician prescription
  • No enemas or laxatives necessary
  • Mix and refrigerate the night before
  • Mix with flavored drink mix- by the glass!
  • Use a straw, over ice
  • Encourage child to continue drinking
  • May need to stop and start...


Sigmoidoscopy

Information
  • Much less invasive
  • Usually laxative and enema only
  • Children post colectomy require specialized instructions


Upper Endoscopy

Preparation
  • Fasting only


Other Information

Fasting Instructions
  • All children should have clear liquids up to 2-3 hours before their scheduled procedure time
  • Solid food and full liquids are stopped after midnight
  • Some facilities may allow solids and fulls up to 6 hours before
What to bring to the Hospital
  • Comfort items
  • Favorite pillow
  • Music
  • Favorite CD or book on tape
  • Pertinent medical information such as: current medication, recent illnesses, hospitalizations etc.
Going Home  
Diet
  • May eat their regular diet once at home
  • Encourage fluids
Activity
  • Must avoid all activites that require coordination for 24 hours
  • Extracurricular, driving
  • May return to school the next day
When to call your doctor/nurse
  • Pain
  • Fever
  • Difficulty arousing
  • Whenever you are concerned
Medications to Avoid
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Motrin
  • Advil
  • Aleve
  • Aspirin products
  • If you are not sure whether to stop a medication or not, ask!

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