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Upper GI Series for Babies?

2K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  Nora_SEA 
#1 ·
Has anyone here had a baby undergo an upper GI series (Barium test) for reflux? I'm taking DD to a specialist as soon as I can get an appt, and this is one of our options. On the plus side, I'd know for sure whether her spit-up problems, preference for the bottle over breast, night screaming, incessant crying, etc., were due to reflux (dear God let that be all it is.) On the minus side... Well, what are the negatives? I know all about the radiation risks (I used to work in a lab with radioactive iodine.) Is the test bothersome for baby? Is the barium drink incredibly nasty? (hmmm...maybe that would make DD hate bottles!) And how soon do you know the results? I'm weighing all my options, and I'll talk everything through with the doc, of course. I asked my pediatrician to refer us to someone who's on the less-invasive end of the doctor spectrum. My poor little girl...I just want her to feel better!
 
#2 ·
My dd went though a barium swallow at 5 weeks, it was no biggie and she seemed to like the barium. Your Dr will have the results by the time you get back to his office. Have you considered going zero tolerance on dairy to help with the reflux? Its a very common cause of reflux and colic.
 
#4 ·
Did a search and found this thread--a little old, I know.

I have to take Melina in for an Upper GI on Friday. She has been diagnosed with FTT and also has many reflux symptoms. So far Zantac and Prevacid have not touched it. This way we'll know for sure one way or another. How much barium do they have to drink? I'm worried they do not do babies often at this hospital since the tech told me that "she should have nothing by mouth after 8pm!!".
I guess if I take her real hungry, she'll be more likely to drink enough of the barium. Do they strap them down for the films? Any other tips?
 
#5 ·
my son had it done at one week old and it was not a big deal, he didn't mind the taste of the barium and it didn't upset him in any way. The test showed reflux right away but they also wanted to take pictures as it went all the way through his intestines because they were also checking for blockages so it took a long time, the good part of a day. Other than taking forever it was not bothersome.
 
#6 ·
forgot to mention that my son was strapped down on the table but they take the pictures really quickly and let me pick him up again. He was also not allowed to eat before the test was done, I think that is fairly routine. My son never took any sort of antacid but used metaclopromide (sp?) which enhances smooth muscle contractions to help the food move along and strengthen the muscles at the top and bottom of the stomach. He never spit up again and is now reflux and med. free at 11 months.
 
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