Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
What to Expect
Procedure Location
St. Vincent Hospital — Pediatric Preop, Door #1
Arrive 90 minutes before your scheduled procedure
📖 About the Procedure
An upper endoscopy (also called an EGD, for esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a short procedure done under anesthesia. A pediatric gastroenterologist passes a thin, flexible camera through your child's mouth to look at the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. Small biopsies are usually taken. The procedure itself takes about 20 minutes, but plan to be at the facility for several hours total.
⏱️ Eating & Drinking — Before the Procedure (NPO)
For your child's safety, anesthesia requires an empty stomach. Stop each food or liquid below by the time listed, counting back from your child's scheduled arrival time:
| Food or liquid | Stop before arrival |
|---|
| Solid foodsincludes soup | 8 hours |
| Formula or milk feedingsbottle or tube | 6 hours |
| Breast milk | 4 hours |
| Clear liquidswater, juice without pulp, clear soda, clear tea, black coffee | 3 hours |
| Thickening agents added to any liquid above | 6 hours |
⚠️ If these times are not followed exactly, the anesthesia team will cancel the procedure for your child's safety.
If you don't think your child can meet these times (for example, a feeding-tube schedule or a child who won't tolerate going without a bottle), call the office before the day of the procedure so we can plan with you.
📅 Day Before & Day of the Procedure
- Bathing: a normal bath or shower the night before is fine.
- Medicines: most daily medicines can be taken with a small sip of water. If your child takes blood thinners, insulin, or has been told to hold a medicine, follow those specific instructions.
- What to wear: comfortable clothes; no nail polish on at least one finger so the oxygen sensor can read.
- Bring: a comfort item (small toy, blanket, tablet), a change of clothes, your insurance card and photo ID, and any current medication list.
- Who comes: a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child. Plan for one adult to stay through recovery.
- Sick day rule: if your child develops a fever, new cough, vomiting, or significant cold symptoms in the 48 hours before, call the office — anesthesia may need to reschedule.
🏥 After the Procedure
- Your child will wake up in the recovery area. Some grogginess, mild sore throat, and gas/bloating are normal for several hours.
- An adult must stay with your child for 24 hours after anesthesia.
- Start with clear liquids, then advance to a regular diet as tolerated.
- No school, daycare, or sports for the rest of the day. Most children are back to normal activity the next day.
- The doctor will discuss what was seen during the procedure before you go home. Biopsy results take about 1–2 weeks; we'll send them through the patient portal or call.
📞 When to Call the Office
Call (317) 338-9450 if your child has any of the following after the procedure:
- A temperature over 101°F (38.3°C)
- Vomiting blood, or stool that is black or bloody
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- Severe or persistent sore throat, drooling, or trouble swallowing
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain — this is an emergency, call 911
Helpful Resources
