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Safe upper GI endoscopy for children with reflux, chronic abdominal pain or unexplained vomiting. Shishuka Children's Hospital, Bangalore. Expert pediatric gastroenterology.
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A safe, well-established procedure that lets pediatric gastroenterologists directly examine your child's food pipe, stomach and upper intestine — providing clear answers behind reflux, chronic pain, or unexplained vomiting.
An upper GI endoscopy, also called an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), is a procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the tip is gently passed through the mouth into the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It lets the doctor see the lining of these organs directly and take small tissue samples (biopsies) if needed, something blood tests or imaging alone cannot provide.
Performed under sedation or general anaesthesia in children, this procedure is considered very safe and is the definitive way to diagnose conditions like reflux disease, coeliac disease, ulcers, and eosinophilic oesophagitis.
A pediatric gastroenterologist may recommend this procedure if your child has:
Persistent reflux or heartburn that hasn't improved with medication
Chronic, unexplained abdominal pain not responding to initial treatment
Recurrent or unexplained vomiting
Difficulty or pain while swallowing
Suspected coeliac disease, requiring a biopsy to confirm diagnosis
Unexplained weight loss or poor growth alongside digestive symptoms
Depending on what your gastroenterologist needs to check, an endoscopy may include one or more of these steps.
A direct look at the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, checking for inflammation, ulcers, or structural abnormalities.
Small, painless tissue samples are taken during the same procedure, essential for confirming conditions like coeliac disease or eosinophilic oesophagitis.
Samples can be tested for H. pylori bacteria, a common cause of stomach ulcers and gastritis in children.
In some cases, the same procedure can treat what's found — for example, removing a swallowed foreign object, or dilating a narrowed area in the food pipe.
Here's how endoscopy compares to other common investigations for digestive symptoms.
| Investigation | Invasiveness | Best For | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper GI Endoscopy | Minimally invasive, sedated | Direct visualisation & biopsy of upper digestive tract | Requires sedation/anaesthesia; small procedural risk |
| Abdominal Ultrasound | Non-invasive | Structural organ assessment (liver, kidneys, intestines) | Cannot see the lining of the digestive tract in detail |
| Blood & Stool Tests | Minimally invasive | Initial screening for infection, inflammation or coeliac markers | Cannot confirm a diagnosis requiring tissue examination |
| pH Impedance Study | Minimally invasive | Measuring the frequency/severity of reflux over 24 hours | Doesn't show tissue damage directly; often paired with endoscopy |
A structured, closely monitored process designed for safety and comfort.
Your gastroenterologist reviews your child's symptoms and history, explains the procedure, and an anaesthesia check-up confirms your child is fit for sedation.
Your child fasts for several hours beforehand, since the stomach needs to be empty for a clear, safe examination.
Performed under sedation or general anaesthesia, the endoscope is gently passed through the mouth to examine the upper digestive tract and take biopsies if needed. The procedure itself typically takes 10–20 minutes.
Your child is monitored until fully awake, usually going home the same day. Biopsy results take several days, and are reviewed with you at a scheduled follow-up.
A precise, well-supervised procedure that still needs a gentle, reassuring approach for young patients.
Specialists trained specifically in pediatric endoscopic evaluation and biopsy interpretation.
Age-appropriate sedation planning that prioritises your child's comfort and safety throughout.
Tissue sampling done in the same procedure, avoiding the need for a repeat visit.
Findings and biopsy results explained in plain language, with a clear treatment plan.
Consultations available across Kalyan Nagar, RT Nagar, Malleswaram and New BEL Road.
Most children recover quickly once the sedation wears off, usually within an hour or two. A mild sore throat or slight bloating is common in the first day and settles on its own. Your child can generally return to a normal diet and activities the following day, once fully alert.
Biopsy results typically take a few days to a week, since tissue samples require laboratory processing. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to discuss findings and, if needed, plan next steps in your child's care.
Talk to our pediatric gastroenterology team about whether an upper GI endoscopy could provide the answers you need.
We've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to help you find the information you need quickly and easily.
“If you can't find the answer to your question here, please don't hesitate to contact our support team for assistance.”
Yes, it's well-established and routinely performed. Serious complications are rare, with close monitoring by an anaesthesia team throughout.
No, children receive sedation or general anaesthesia and feel nothing.
The endoscopy itself takes 10–20 minutes, though total hospital time including recovery is usually a few hours.
A few days to a week, since tissue samples need lab processing.