What’s it like to have an endoscopy?

If your child has symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux or celiac disease, has been diagnosed with esophageal atresia, or has another condition that affects their upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, their clinician may recommend an upper endoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor passes a long, thin, flexible tube with a light on the end through your child’s mouth and esophagus and into the stomach and small intestine. “This allows us to get a good view of this part of the GI tract,” explains Dr. Michael Manfredi, medical director of the Esophageal and Airway Treatment Center at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Click along to learn more as Nathan prepares to undergo an endoscopy at Boston Children’s Gastroenterology Procedure Unit (GPU).