Post-Endoscopy Discharge Instructions (Pediatric)

Pediatric Post-Endoscopy Discharge Instructions

Patient Name: [Patient name]

Date of Birth: [Date of birth]

Date of Procedure: [Date of procedure]

Facility: [Facility name]

Endoscopist: [Endoscopist name]

Procedure Summary

Today, your child (or you, if you are the patient) had: [EGD / colonoscopy / both]. We did this to check: [Reason in plain words].

• Biopsies taken: [Yes / No]
• Polyp removed: [Yes / No]
• Dilation (stretching) performed: [Yes / No]
• Other treatment done: [Yes / No] (If yes, describe briefly: [Plain description of intervention])

What we saw today: [Plain-language summary of visual findings, or state "Everything looked normal" if applicable]

We reviewed first-look results with the caregiver: [Yes / No].

Recovery and What to Expect

Your child may feel sleepy and less steady today. This is from the sedation. An adult should stay with your child all day today. No driving, biking, swimming, climbing, playground, or activities that need balance or judgment today. Teens should not drive today.

For infants and toddlers in a car seat: check head position and breathing during the ride home and during naps. Keep the head upright. Watch closely.

Common symptoms (These should get better within a few hours):

• (Include if EGD was done) Sore throat and mild hoarseness.
• (Include if colonoscopy was done) Gas, bloating, and cramping. Passing gas can help.
• Mild nausea or a smaller appetite.

Diet: Start with clear liquids. Then move slowly to regular foods as your child feels ready. [Specific diet restrictions if ordered, or omit this sentence if none]

Activity: Your child may return to school and normal activities tomorrow if feeling well, unless told otherwise. (Include the following only if a therapeutic intervention was performed) Extra restrictions: [Activity limitations with duration, e.g., no contact sports for X days]

When to Seek Care

Call 911 or go to the ER right now if:

• Trouble breathing
• Severe chest pain
• You cannot wake your child
• Heavy vomiting of blood
• Heavy rectal bleeding

Call the GI team right away if:

• Fever above [Institutional threshold]°F ([Institutional threshold]°C)
• Vomiting that will not stop
• Severe belly pain that does not get better after passing gas
• Black or tarry stool
• Blood in the stool beyond what was described as expected
• Worsening throat pain or trouble swallowing
• Your child seems very confused or hard to wake beyond the first few hours

Some problems can start hours to days after the procedure. Call even if these symptoms start later.

Medications

(Include this section only if there are medication changes. Omit entirely if no changes were made.)

• Continue: [Medications to continue with dose and schedule]
• Hold/Restart: [Medications held and exact restart date/time] (If restart time is not yet determined, write: "Do not restart until the GI team confirms. Call: [Daytime clinic number]")
• New medications: [Medication name, dose, frequency] — for: [Purpose in plain words]
• Pain control: You may give acetaminophen [Dose in mg or mL with timing based on weight]. (Include if applicable) Avoid ibuprofen and similar medicines for [Time period].

Follow-Up

(Include if biopsies were taken) Biopsies were taken. Results are expected in [Timeframe]. We will notify you by [Phone / patient portal / follow-up visit]. If you do not hear from us by [Specific date or day count], please call.

Follow-up appointment: [Date, time, and location] (If not yet scheduled, write: "Please call [Scheduling number] by [Deadline] to schedule your visit.")

How to reach us:

• Daytime GI clinic line: [Daytime clinic number]
• After-hours/on-call GI doctor: [After-hours number]