Your doctor has recommended
a Colonoscopy. This is a
special test that allows your
doctor to look directly into the last
part of the intestines to help find
out why children have diarrhea,
bleeding and stomach pain. After
the doctor gives you medicines
which will help you sleep, he/she will take a narrow bend-
able tube with a camera and a light to look inside your
bottom. The doctor may take very small tissue samples, the
size of a pinhead. This can help your doctor explain why
you might have tummy (stomach) pain, watery poops
(diarrhea) or bleeding when you go to the bathroom.
There are many reasons why children may need a
colonoscopy including:
● Blood in the poop
● Diarrhea
● Belly pain
● Bottom pain
Before the test, you will be given medicines to be
swallowed to flush out all the poop (also called stool). You
will also need to drink lots of clear fluids. It is important that
during this time you do not eat any food. By getting all the
poop out, it allows your doctor to see what’s happening
inside. On the morning of the test, you are not supposed to
eat or drink anything as this can cause problems with the
medicines used to help you sleep during the test. Your
nurse or doctor will tell you when to stop eating and start
the medicines.
After the test, your doctor may have pictures to show you
and your family. At the same time, he/she can tell your
family if there are any medicines for you. Once you are
drinking well, you can start eating again and go home. A
few kids feel sick after the test and may be watched a little
longer until they feel better.
● Tummy pain for more than an hour. Most kids feel
fine after the test.
● Throwing up several times. To make sure this isn’t a
problem, try to drink small amounts of drinks like
Sprite or ginger ale, or eat a little bit of popsicle.
● Bleeding. Passing small amounts of blood (less
than a spoonful) may be normal for 1-2 days, but if
it is more than that or it continues let your parents
and doctor know.
● Fevers. If there are persistent fevers,