Barium Swallow / Barium Meal - investigating infant reflux and gut disorders

I thought i'd give our experience of a barium swallow / meal for the benefit of other parents who may be nervously waiting for their child to have one done.

Our son had 2 barium swallows/meals - one at the age of about 6 months and then again at age 3. I've summarised the one done at age 3 as i can remember it more clearly!

Our son was still having symptoms of reflux (vomiting, food aversion, sleeplessness, stomach aches etc) at 3 years old and so we were told to have another barium meal done. He had to have nil by mouth from 6pm the night before. When we arrived at the hospital our son was given a barium drink which he drank - despite the fact it tasted disgusting!

After a short wait, he was then asked to lie on the x-ray bed and x-rays were taken from a number of different angles. A few times he was asked to drink whilst lying down and they x-rayed him whilst he drank. The x-rays showed he was refluxing whilst he drank but revealed no other abnormalities.

I was dreading this investigation as i thought my son would never drink the barium drink and i thought he'd be upset but he was fine! He coped really well and I was able to stay with him and touch him throughout.

I rewarded him afterwards with a present and his favourite food/drink.

ShareThis