Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition of Dr. Erena Treskova is dedicated to offering patients the least invasive treatments possible. To evaluate your child’s digestive system, the board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist, Erena Treskova, MD, offers the innovative capsule endoscopy. To learn more about this noninvasive procedure, contact one of the offices in Wayne, New Jersey, or Middletown, New York, by calling the friendly staff or using the online booking tool to register with the office for portal access today.
request an appointmentWhat is a capsule endoscopy?
A capsule endoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that allows Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition of Dr. Erena Treskova to examine your child’s small intestines.
During the noninvasive procedure, your child swallows a special pill-sized capsule equipped with a camera. As the capsule travels through your child’s small intestines, it takes thousands of pictures that are transmitted to a receiver your child wears on their waist.
There really isn’t any significant preparation prior to a capsule endoscopy. However, your child may be asked to limit strenuous activity like jumping and running.
Why would my child need a capsule endoscopy?
When you bring your child in for a consultation at Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition of Dr. Erena Treskova, they explain why your child would benefit from a capsule endoscopy.
Your child may need the procedure to:
- Confirm or rule out celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
- Determine the cause of your child’s digestive bleeding
- Screen for polyps
The pediatric gastroenterology practice may also recommend a capsule endoscopy if the results of other diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and endoscopy/colonoscopy are inconclusive.
What happens during a capsule endoscopy?
After coming to the office ON EMPTY STOMACH in the morning, wearing a T-shirt your child’s capsule endoscopy starts. First, the recording belt is placed around the child’s abdomen. Then, your child swallows the vitamin pill-sized camera, which naturally progresses through the digestive tract.
After they swallow the capsule, your pediatric gastroenterologist may provide specific activity and diet guidelines for your child during the test to ensure the best possible images of your child’s small intestines are obtained.
After 6-8 hours specified by the office staff, you and your child return to the office and the recording device is removed and the information is downloaded to a computer. Your child’s pediatric gastroenterologist reviews the data and schedules a follow-up appointment to discuss the results.
How does my child get rid of the capsule?
Your child naturally expels the capsule camera during a bowel movement, which may occur within hours or a few days of swallowing it, depending on your child’s normal bowel habits.
If you are concerned about the capsule leaving the intestine, please contact the pediatric gastroenterology practice to request the X-ray of the abdomen.
The capsule endoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that may provide answers to explain your child’s digestive symptoms.
To schedule a consultation to learn more about the noninvasive diagnostic test, call Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition of Dr. Erena Treskova or use the online booking tool to register with the office for portal access today.