Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy: Caring for your child at home after the procedure

Your child has had an upper endoscopy and/or a colonoscopy under a general anaesthetic. It is important to know what signs and symptoms to look for and how to take care of your child once you go home.

After the procedure

Once your child is awake and able to drink liquids and keep them down, you may take your child home.

Some children may experience side effects from the procedure or general anaesthesia such as fatigue, upset stomach or vomiting. If your child is feeling sick, they will be monitored by the nurse a little longer until they are feeling better. The nurses will remove the intravenous (IV) from your child before you leave.

Your child may feel dizzy and unsteady for up to six hours after a general anaesthetic. Once at home, your child should do quiet activities, such as watch TV or listen to music, and rest. Do not let your child do activities that they need to have good balance for, such as riding a bike. Your child should be able to resume their normal activities the following day.

When you get home after the procedure, give your child a light meal. Do not give them heavy or fried foods, as this may upset their stomach or make them vomit. The day after the procedure, your child may resume eating and drinking as normal.

After the procedure, your child may experience some discomfort, stomach pain, or other symptoms listed below.

Upper endoscopy

• Stomach pain
• Gas pain
• Vomiting
• Bleeding: Spitting up small amounts of blood is normal. This should be less than a spoonful each time
• Fever
• Sore throat lasting 1-2 days

Colonoscopy

• Stomach pain
• Gas pain
• Abdominal distention
• Vomiting
• Bleeding: It is normal to pass small amounts of blood in the stool (poo) for the next 1-2 days. This should be less than a spoonful each time
• Fever

Caring for your child at home

If your child is experiencing stomach pain, it may help to have them walk around, go to the bathroom or pass gas. You can also place a heat pack on their stomach for comfort.

If necessary, you may give pain medications such as acetaminophen. Never give your child acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or aspirin.

If your child is vomiting, give them small amounts of clear fluids such as water, apple juice, Pedialyte or ginger ale. Do not give them solid foods.

Follow up

Please call your clinic nurse if you have not received the results within three weeks of the procedure.

When to seek medical attention

Contact your child’s doctor immediately or take your child to the Emergency Department if they experience any of the following:

• Stomach pain continues
• Vomiting does not stop
• There is more than a spoonful of blood in their vomit or stool
• Your child is passing blood in their stool for longer than two days
• A sore throat lasts longer than two days or becomes worse instead of better
• Your child has a persistent fever

At SickKids

For urgent concerns on the night of the procedure or on weekends, call the GI Fellow On-Call through hospital locating at 416-813-7500.