Colonoscopy Specialist

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a test that allows your provider to see inside your child’s colon to better understand troublesome symptoms. Before the procedure begins, your child receives anesthesia so they will be asleep and comfortable during the procedure.

To perform a colonoscopy, a long flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into your child’s rectum, and through the rectum and colon. The device allows your gastroenterologist to view the inside walls of the large intestines and take small samples of tissue to be sent to the laboratory for examination. Results return in about a week. 

Why would my child need a colonoscopy?

If your provider orders a colonoscopy for your child, they’re investigating symptoms such as unexplained abdominal pain or bloody stools. A colonoscopy provides a way to see inside the large intestine, perform a biopsy if needed, and treat bleeding or polyps.

How should my child prepare for a colonoscopy?

In order for your child to have a successful colonoscopy, they need to have a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure. They need to have all the stool eliminated from their colon so that it’s empty.

They can have any of the following:

• Water
• Instant lemonade (no pulp)
• Tea
• Clear broth 
• Clear juice (no pulp)
• Lollipops (no gum or taffy inside)
• Yellow sports drink
• Gelatin
• Light-colored popsicles

Make sure none of these liquids are red in color or contain red colorings. Stay away from milk, juices with pulp, and solid foods. These are general guidelines, and the team at Kids and Tummies provides thorough preparation instructions for you, as well.

What can my child expect after the colonoscopy?

After your child’s procedure, it takes a few hours for the anesthesia to wear off, and then you can take your child home.

During your child’s recovery, you might notice some blood in their stool, but only for a day. That’s to be expected, so you don’t need to worry. Your child might also have gas inside their intestines from the test, which can be uncomfortable, but that subsides quickly as well.

Monitor your child’s symptoms after the procedure and call Kids and Tummies if you notice issues, such as:

• Hardened abdomen
• Abdominal pain that lasts longer than an hour
• Bleeding from the rectum that amounts to more than a spoonful
• Continued rectal bleeding after one day
• Vomiting
• Fever

You may need to bring your child back to the office for a follow-up visit some time after their colonoscopy.

To learn more about a colonoscopy for your child, contact the practice today by calling Kids and Tummies or booking an appointment online.