Gentle Examination for Accurate Diagnosis
Endoscopy is a medical technology that allows doctors to view inside the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine in detail without surgery. Nowadays, it is not only used in adults but can also be safely used to diagnose diseases in children, called “Pediatric Gastrointestinal Endoscopy”.
Why Some Children Need Endoscopy
Children may have gastrointestinal symptoms with unclear causes, such as
- Chronic abdominal pain or frequent abdominal pain with unknown cause
- Nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing food
- Blood in stool or black stool
- Weight loss, loss of appetite, or delayed growth
- Suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease in children (GERD)
- Chronic diarrhea or suspected chronic inflammatory bowel disease
Doctors will consider performing endoscopy when general examinations or X-ray results cannot clearly explain the symptoms
How Endoscopy is Performed in Children
Endoscopy in children uses special small-sized scopes suitable for the anatomy of children at different ages, performed under the care of
- Pediatric Gastroenterologist
- Pediatric Anesthesiologist to safely manage sedation or anesthesia
Children will not feel pain during the endoscopy and can go home the same day if there are no complications
Types of Endoscopy
- Upper GI Endoscopy is used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. It is suitable for children who frequently vomit or vomit blood, have abdominal pain, or experience food reflux and discomfort
- Colonoscopy is used to examine the large intestine and terminal small intestine. It is suitable for children with chronic diarrhea, bloody stools, or suspected inflammatory bowel disease
Benefits of Endoscopy in Children
- Allows doctors to directly see abnormalities such as esophageal ulcers, stomach ulcers, inflammation, or tumors
- Can collect tissue samples (Biopsy) for pathological examination
- In some cases, therapeutic procedures can be performed simultaneously, such as stopping bleeding, removing polyps, or extracting foreign objects
- Reduces the need for unnecessary surgery
Preparation Before Endoscopy
- Avoid food and drink as instructed by the doctor
- For colonoscopy, the child may need to take laxatives to clean the intestines
- Inform the doctor if the child has any underlying diseases or drug allergies
- Parents should stay with the child throughout the procedure to provide comfort
Pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe procedure and very useful in diagnosing many gastrointestinal diseases. It is performed under the care of specialized doctors and an experienced multidisciplinary team, ensuring appropriate care from the start and leading to the most effective treatment
If your child has unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, you should consult a pediatric gastroenterologist at Phyathai Hospital 2 for evaluation and appropriate treatment planning
Dr. Rapeeporn Wisitthanon
Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Specialist
