Diagnostic services

Endoscopy

Five paediatric endoscopy 'lists' a month take place under general anaesthesia in the Addenbrooke's treatment centre on level 2, day surgery unit. There is a weekly list on a Tuesday afternoon (1315-1815) and an additional Tuesday morning list (0815-1230) once per month.

 

Families should arrive at the Addenbrookes treatment centre at 0700 for a morning list and 1200 for an afternoon list.

> Day surgery

 

Almost all children are investigated as day cases. This means that children and families either receive information on how to prepare for endoscopy at their clinic visit, or by mail/email before the day of the procedure. This includes details on when a child should stop eating and drinking before an endoscopy and / or how and when to give medication to ensure the bowel is clear before colonoscopy.

 

It is recommended that very young children (under about 6 years) are admitted to a children’s ward the night before a colonoscopy. This is to help ensure the bowel is clear and allow the nurses to monitor a child’s fluid balance and blood sugar level. We also try to identify particularly anxious children prior to their admission to allow us to involve play therapists and/or consider pre-medication to reduce the stress of the procedure as much as possible. Please let us know if you are particularly concerned about your child not tolerating an admission/procedure.

 

Information sheets for specific procedures can be found via the link below or will be provided in clinic or by post

> Patient information and consent forms

 

If you would like non-clinical information to be sent to you via email, please ensure you sign an appropriate consent form. Please ask your doctor or nurse during your child’s consultation. 

Prior to the appointment a nurse from the treatment centre will contact you by telephone to pre-assess your child and give you a further opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have.

 

Families are allocated a bed area reserved for children only, with at least one paediatric nurse in attendance. Here the families are seen by the anaesthetist to ensure the child is fit for the procedure and that the child and family are fully informed about how the child will be anaesthetised. The endoscopist (doctor) carrying out the procedure that day will discuss again the reason for the procedure and ask for parental written consent.

 

After the procedure your child will be reviewed by the anaesthetist and endoscopist prior to discharge, so that where possible a treatment plan is made before you leave.

 

 

Consent form

 

Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) - Children’s Services (176 KB)

Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) and impedance study (192 KB)

Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy - Children’s Services (142 KB)

Colonoscopy - Children’s Services (195 KB)

Impedance study (181 KB)

 

 

Research studies

Parent/carer’s invitation to participate in research concerning diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children (45 KB)

Invitation for children aged >10 years to participate in research concerning disease of the gastrointestinal tract (73 KB)

Appendix 1 - outline of research project - Antimicrobial peptides in paediatric Crohn’s disease (35 KB)

Consent form for research project - Antimicrobial peptides in paediatric Crohn’s disease (37 KB)

Research protocol (57 KB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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