EGD + Colonoscopy Prep — Under 15 kg [Under 33 lb]
🔎 What Are These Procedures?
Your child is scheduled for two procedures done back-to-back while asleep under anesthesia:
- EGD (upper endoscopy) — a thin camera is passed through the mouth to look at the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. Small biopsies are usually taken.
- Colonoscopy — the same kind of camera is passed through the bottom to look at the large intestine. Biopsies are usually taken here too.
Both procedures together take about 30–60 minutes. Your child will not feel anything.
📖 About the Bowel Prep
The colon must be clean for the doctor to see clearly during the colonoscopy. The clear-liquid + enema steps below clean the colon (empty it) over the day before. The EGD itself does not need bowel prep — only the fasting times.
This page describes a clear-liquids + saline-enema prep for infants and children under 15 kg. Use this protocol only when our office has specifically directed you to do so.
If a saline enema was not prescribed for home use, do not give one — the doctor will administer it just before the procedure.
✅ Medications and Supplies needed
- Pedialyte® or clear apple juice.
- Clear broth (chicken or vegetable).
- Popsicles or plain gelatin (no red or purple colors).
- Saline enema — only if prescribed, or if we have separately instructed you to give one.
- Protective ointment (A&D, Desitin®, or Vaseline®) for the diaper area.
Prepare a list of medications.
Stop iron, anti-diarrhea medicine 7 days before.
You can verify what medications need to be stopped at meds.giready.com.
📅 Day Before the Procedure
| AVOID | OK to drink |
|---|---|
| All solid foods | Formula or milk (until 12:00 PM) |
| Formula or milk after 12:00 PM | Breast milk (until 8:00 PM) |
| Breast milk after 8:00 PM | Pedialyte®; clear apple juice (no pulp); water |
| Anything red or purple (looks like blood) | Clear broth (chicken or vegetable, strained); popsicles or plain gelatin (no red/purple) |
If your doctor prescribed a saline enema for home use, give it in the evening. The dose is 5 mL per kg of body weight. If no stool comes out within 30 minutes, you may give a second enema. If you were not told to give one at home, the doctor will give it right before the procedure.
Apply protective ointment to the diaper area.
⏱ Fasting Rules — Day of Procedure
These times are counted backward from your child's scheduled procedure time. The fasting rules apply to both the EGD and the colonoscopy.
| What | When to Stop |
|---|---|
| Formula or milk (1 year and older) | 12:00 PM the day before |
| Breast milk | 8:00 PM the day before |
| Clear liquids (Pedialyte, water, clear juice) | 3 hours before procedure time |
⚠️ When to Call the Doctor
- Your child won't drink, or has dehydration signs: no tears, dry mouth, or no wet diapers for 6+ hours.
- Vomiting that prevents your child from keeping liquids down.
- Fever, bloody stools, or severe belly pain.
- You are unsure whether the prep is working.
- You have questions about your child's medications.
Call (317) 338-9450 with any of the concerns above.
💡 Tips for Success
- Offer clear liquids frequently in small amounts — a syringe, sippy cup, or bottle may help.
- Popsicles and gelatin help keep your child hydrated. Avoid red and purple — they can look like blood.
- Expect frequent watery stools — this means the prep is working.
- Keep the diaper area well protected with ointment to prevent irritation.