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At UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, we believe parents and guardians can contribute to the success of this test and we invite you to participate. Please read the following information to learn about the test and how you can help.
A capsule endoscopy (CAP-sool en-DOSS-co-pee) is a safe, painless way for doctors to look inside the small intestine. Your child’s doctor will discuss with you how the test might help your child, what it can and cannot show, and the small risks involved.
In order to have a capsule endoscopy, your child must be able to swallow a large pill. Most children ages 10 and up, and some children who are younger, are able to have a capsule endoscopy. Nurses will screen all children who are scheduled for a capsule endoscopy to be sure they can swallow a pill.
If your child is unable to swallow a pill, the capsule must be placed through a traditional endoscopy or EGD, which requires general anesthesia to make your child sleep.
A capsule endoscopy may be prescribed to diagnose a range of problems in the digestive tract, including Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease and other absorption disorders; tumors of the small intestine; bleeding problems; injuries to or disorders of the bowels; or to rule out the small intestine as the source of problems.
On the day before and day of your child’s capsule endoscopy, there will be special instructions for what he or she should eat and drink.
On the day before the capsule endoscopy:
On the day of the capsule endoscopy:
Your child’s capsule endoscopy will be scheduled at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. You and your child should report to the GI Lab at your appointment time.
If the nurses have any questions about your child’s ability to swallow a pill, you and your child may be asked to report to the Same Day Surgery Center.
You and your child will be taken to an exam room.
When the test is done, your doctor will speak with you in the surgical family waiting room. You can join your child in the recovery room when he or she is awake.
Once the belt has been removed, your child may go home and resume a normal diet and normal activities.
We welcome your help and support during this test. One of the most important roles of a parent or guardian is to help your child stay calm and relaxed before and after the procedure. The easiest way to do this is for you to stay calm.
If your child has any special needs or health issues you feel the doctor performing the test needs to know about please call the GI procedure nurse at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh before the test at 412-692-5944. It is important to notify us in advance about any special needs.
Locations
Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh One Children’s Hospital Way 4401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
With myCHP, you can request appointments, review test results, and more.
For questions about a hospital bill call:
To pay your bill online, please visit UPMC's online bill payment system.
Interested in giving to Children's Hospital? Support the hospital by making a donation online, joining our Heroes in Healing monthly donor program, or visiting our site to learn about the other ways you can give back.