Barium swallow

[jambuttie]

Hi

One of my twins(22 months) has to go for a bariuom swallow.

I had one of these years ago and it was vile.

Do they make it nicer for kids? will he gag on the stuff.

He has problems swallowing and was a bit surprised they chose this procedure over the camera down the throat

Any tips please?

Will they sedate him whilst they are scanning him after the swallow or will he just lie on the bed?

[marthamoo]

What a horrible procedure for a little one to have - I haven't had one but my Mum has. They must sedate him, surely? And make it more palatable in some way? Can't see them being able to do it otherwise. If no-one has any experience of this I would ring the relevant department and ask if someone can explain what is going to happen.

[jambuttie]

.

[jambuttie]

bumping up for other experiences

[doormat]

jambuttie I had one a few weeks ago and it was still vile minty tasting chalky stuff.
I had to lie on the bed too
I would ring the xray dept and ask them what the procedure is for children
good luck
xxx

[KathH]

ds2 was supposed to have one at 8 mths due to reflux but we cancelled it as he was getting better. When we got the appointment there was a leaflet that I had to read to him that said it was like going on a ride and that he could choose what flavour to have. Suprisingly he was unimpressed with this information.

[SueW]

DD had one at 5yo and another at 8yo.

She had the choice of banana or choc. First time chose banana. Hated it. This time she tried choc but hated that so much they made her up another with banana. They use Nesquik or similar BTW at our hospital.

DD had to do swallow whilst standing and lying - and the bed tipped so she got to go on a ride. Her condition means it the stuff doesn't go down properly so it's quite a messy procedure for her.

What's up with your DS's swallow?

[yowlingmonster]

ds had one when he was about 2wks old and I cant remember what they put in it but it made it palatable and he guzzled it out of the bottle no problem. This was in NZ and I remember the radiologist saying that it was specifically made up for young children to be palatable. All the best for the procedure, it is hard going seeing your little ones going through hospital procedures.

[jambuttie]

My son has problems swallowing. One side of his wee throat is closed. they believe it is either a pocket that has formed at the back of the throat or something to do with the muscles.

Possibly related to ventilation at birth. He chokes on his food and has done since he began solids.

I am amazed really they have chosen this option thought they would have went for the camera down

[SueW]

Barium swallow is less invasive than endoscopy and can diagnose conditions which endoscopy will not. E.g. my DD has achalasia which is failure to relax of lower oesophageal sphincter. The diagnostic tools for this are barium swallow (able to see immediately the 'bird's beak') and gold standard is to follow up with manometry where a probe is inserted through the nose and down the throat and used to measure pressure in the oesophagues and so see if peristalsis is affected. Endoscopy does not help in finding out about this condition.

Endoscopy is useful for finding out more about things like strictures and any scarring but requires a general anaesthetic for children and the barium swallow can give initial info.

It is also less likely to be cancelled and is cheaper as does not require theatre time/anasthetists etc