​​​​​​​What is an upper GI?

An upper GI (gastrointestinal) is an imaging test that takes x-ray pictures of the upper part of the digestive tract—the upper esophagus (food pipe) and stomach.

How does my child get ready for the test?

Depending on your child’s age, they'll need to stop eating and drinking for a certain amount of time before the exam. You'll get instructions for what to do before your child's test.

Where is the test done?

Your child will be taken into a room that has an x-ray camera over a bed. If your child would like, you can be in the room with them during the test, but not if you are pregnant.

What happens during the test?

A doctor and a technologist will do the test.

Your child will lie on the bed, and the x-ray camera will be positioned over them.

Pictures will be taken while your child sips barium (or contrast) and moves into different positions on the bed.

Barium outlines the inside of the digestive system so the doctor can see it on the x-rays.

Barium looks like a milkshake. It tastes a bit chalky, and your child can drink it from a bottle or a cup with a straw. It might be possible to add flavour to the barium if your child wants it.

What happens after the test?

Your child can go home after the test and do their normal activities. Your child can eat and drink as usual after the test.

Try to have your child drink extra fluids for the first few days after the test to help clear the barium from their body. Barium can be constipating (make poop hard and difficult to pass), and your child's poop may look white or greyish for a few days.

The test results will be sent to the doctor who ordered the exam in about 1 week.

For health advice anytime, day or night, call Health Link at 811 to speak to a nurse.​