OESOPHAGO-GASTRO-DUODENOSCOPY (“OGD”, “Upper GI Endoscopy”, “camera”)

Put simply, an endoscopy involves a flexible tube being inserted into the mouth and into the stomach and sometimes a bit further. There is a camera attached to the end, which allows the doctor to see the lining of your child’s digestive tract, and look for any abnormalities. Sometimes an endoscopy can be used to take biopsies (little pieces of tissue which are sent off for analysis).

The reasons for performing an OGD in your child, can be among others, :

·      Chronic abdominal pain in association with other warning signs,

·      Severe gastro-oesophageal reflux not responding to medication

·      Severe swallowing problems (dysphagia) or heartburn

·      Suspected inflammation of the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum (upper small intestine), eg by infection or by food allergies eg coeliac disease

·      Inflammatory bowel disease

·      Upper GI bleeding

Preparation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in school children and teenagers are performed in the Grosvenor Hospital, and involve a period of fasting. Infants, toddlers and pre-school children are currently examined upon referral to Dr Auth in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Procedures are done under general anaesthesia (GA) or deep sedation by a consultant anaesthetist. Preparation involves fasting  for 6 to 8 hours.

SEDATION AND MONITORING

Intravenous sedation is used in most pediatric patients not only to minimize discomfort but also to provide amnesia for the procedure. This helps to prevent the child from becoming fearful of contact with the physician. General anesthesia may be required in children in whom cooperation is not anticipated.