Barium Swallow Study

A Barium Swallow Study is used to look at your child’s oesophagus and stomach. This study uses ‘Contrast’, a liquid which shows up on x-rays. Your child will be required to drink this.

If you are unable to keep this appointment, please inform the department as soon as possible. The contact details will be on the appointment letter or you can contact the clinical team via MyGOSH.

If your child is likely to need a hoist during the appointment, please telephone us so that we can make sure this is ready for you.

You will be able to come into the scanning room with your child but it is important that you let us know if you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant. The x-rays used in the fluoroscopy scan could harm your unborn baby, so we would advise bringing another adult to the appointment.

If your child is 12 years old or older and of childbearing potential, we will ask them about their periods and any possibility that they could be pregnant; this is a legal obligation that we must ask.

The person bringing your child to the scan should have ‘Parental Responsibility’ for them. Parental Responsibility refers to the individual who has legal rights, responsibilities, duties, power and authority to make decisions for a child. If the person bringing your child does not have Parental Responsibility, we may have to cancel the scan.

• It can help if your child has a favourite toy to hold to comfort them during the study. Electronic devices such as phones or tablets are also welcome.
• If your child takes liquids orally, and has a favourite bottle, beaker or cup, please bring this with you.
• If your child uses a gastrostomy for feeding, please bring a spare adaptor and tube with you. This is very important as we don’t keep spare adaptors and tubes in the department.
• You might also want to bring some spare clothes in case any of the contrast liquid spills.

Your child should not have a feed two hours before the study. This includes milk for those children eating solids. Clear fluids, such as water or weak squash, can be taken until one hour before the study.

Please arrive at the Radiology department at the time stated in your child’s appointment letter.

If your child’s clothes have any metal such as zips or buttons, these may need to be taken off before the study. If this is necessary, we will provide a hospital gown.

You are welcome to stay with your child throughout the study. Everyone staying inside the examination room will need to wear a lead apron; as stated above, we advise that if you are pregnant or think that you might be pregnant that you bring another adult to accompany your child into the room.

Once on the x-ray bed, your child will be given the contrast liquid to drink. We will take a series of X-rays while the contrast is being taken. You and your child will be able to see the pictures on a screen by the bed.

Once the study is complete, you are free to leave the Radiology department.

A report outlining the results of the study will be sent to the doctor who referred your child for this test. Your referring doctor will contact you to discuss the results of the study.

The x-ray contrast can occasionally cause constipation so please ensure your child takes sufficient fluids in the 24-48 hours after the study to stay well hydrated.

The contrast usually comes out in your child’s poo which may appear white or pale. This is normal and should clear in a few days.

The contrast liquid will not interfere with any medicines your child is taking.

It may cause some constipation in the days that follow.

It is our legal duty to tell you about the potential risk of having a fluoroscopy study. The studies are only ever requested if the benefits outweigh the risks involved. The study does use radiation, but the dose is kept as low as possible. This is because the radiographers are specially trained to obtain the best quality pictures while using the lowest amount of radiation possible.

Anyone staying in the room with your child will need to wear a lead apron – this works as a barrier to radiation. We advise that anyone who is pregnant or thinks they might be pregnant should not go into the room.

Other types of imaging studies, such as MRI, CT or Ultrasound, can visualise the digestive system. It may be that this test is the best way to help your child. You should discuss this test with your child’s medical team prior to the date of the study. The radiologist will also be available on the day of the study should you have further questions.

If you have any questions, please telephone the Radiology department on 020 7829 8615, extension 0361.

We take all feedback very seriously and want to hear about your experiences. Your feedback helps us to understand what we are doing well but importantly how we can improve. We will give you a feedback card but if you haven’t received one, please ask a member of staff. You can also provide feedback via our website.

We know we do not always get things right. As explained above, please do raise any queries or issues with the ward staff in the first instance. We want to help and often we are able to resolve things quickly.

Another way of raising a concern is to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals). The Pals team can offer independent advice and support, working with you to sort out a problem along with members of staff.

They are based in the main reception area and open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. You can also call them on 020 7829 7862 or email pals@gosh.nhs.uk.

The Complaints team are also available if you want to make a complaint. To contact them phone 020 7813 8402 or email complaints@gosh.nhs.uk.

If you require a copy of this information in a different format or language, please contact the Pals team for assistance.