Endoscopy Unit

• If your child is younger than 6 months, he may drink clear liquids until two hours before the scheduled test time. Breastmilk is considered a clear liquid.

• If your child is older than 6 months, he may drink clear liquids until three hours before the scheduled test time.

Medications:

• Your child should not take medicines containing Ibuprofen or Naproxen for four days prior to the procedure. These medicines include, but are not limited to, Motrin, Advil, Pediaprofen, Aleve and Naprosyn.

• Your child should not take aspirin products for 1 week prior to the procedure.

Please do not bring other children to the procedure. If you must bring other children, please bring another adult to care for them.

Your child's primary GI doctor will perform the procedure. A nurse will stay with your child and carefully observe him or her for the entire time.

If you park your car at the Children's Hospital Boston garage, bring your parking ticket with you and have it stamped at the Lobby Information Desk.

The Endoscopy Unit is located in the Farley building on the third floor. Follow the signs for the Farley/Pavilion elevators. Take the Farley/Pavilion elevators to the third floor. Follow the signs for the Endoscopy Unit.

When you arrive at the Endoscopy Unit you will be greeted by a nurse who will explain the test and answer your questions. You will be asked to sign a consent form. You must be the childs legal guardian to sign the consent form. Then, your child will be weighed and given hospital pajamas.

Your child will have an IV (intravenous) placed. Your child will then be given medicine through the IV. This will make your child sleepy and very relaxed. The doctor will spray a numbing medicine in the mouth to make the test more comfortable. This does not hurt, but some children do not like the taste.

Throughout the procedure, your child will be attached to a heart monitor by wires connected to three stickers on the chest. He or she will also have a small-lighted sticker on a finger or toe attached to an oxygen monitor.

The test usually takes about 30 minutes to complete.

In the recovery area, a nurse will be with your child and carefully observe him or her during the entire recovery time. When your child is fully awake, he or she may have clear liquids to drink. Once your child is able to keep liquids down, the IV will be removed.

We ask that you do not bring siblings or other young children into the recovery area. Children may wait with another adult in the Family Waiting Area.

Children are usually able to go home about one hour after the test is done. The nurse will review all instructions with you and give you information sheets.

Patients who receive sedation must have a responsible adult with them when they leave the hospital. Since your child may still be sleepy or unsteady, please arrange to have private transportation to go home. Do not plan to take a bus or the MBTA. If a ride has not been arranged, the procedure may be canceled.

Children do not usually experience discomfort after this test. Some children have a slight sore throat.

For emergencies, you can call a GI doctor 24 hours a day. Call the hospital page operator at 617-355-6369 and ask for the GI fellow on call.