This is a camera test which allows the doctor to see inside the oesophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). 

 

What to expect

Your child will have a general anaesthetic (be completely asleep) for the procedure.  The gastroscope is a flexible plastic-coated tube about the width of a ballpoint pen which has a tiny camera attached that sends images to a viewing screen.  It is passed down through your child's mouth into the oesophagus (food pipe), then onwards into the stomach and duodenum (first part of small intestine).  During the gastroscopy, the doctor may take a biopsy (a small piece of tissue) to send to the laboratory for testing. This is not a painful procedure. The gastroscopy will be performed as a day case procedure so you child will go home the same day.  It takes around 20 minutes but your child will be away from you for around 1 hour to allow them to recover from the anaesthetic.

 

Before the procedure

You will be sent instructions as your child will need to fast for several hours before the endoscopy.

After the procedure
Your child will stay in the Day Stay Unit until they are ready to go home.  If biopsies are taken these will be sent for analysis and results will be available within 2-3 weeks.  A report and copies of these will be sent to the doctor who referred your child. We do not telephone results.