Does your little one always throw up after eating? Or does he complain about a stomach ache, as if his stomach is full? Sometimes, no matter how much food you give him, he doesn't gain weight. Today, we're going to talk about a special test that doctors use to find the cause of these things. This is called a Gastric Emptying Study, or GES for short.
What is Gastric Emptying Study (GES)?
Simply put, this test measures how long it takes for your child's food to travel from the stomach (gut) to the small intestine. Doctors use a special scanner, called a gamma camera, to take pictures of the child's stomach after they eat. This test is also known by several other names. For example:
- Gastric emptying test
- Gastric emptying scan
- Stomach emptying test
- Gastric emptying scintigraphy
Either way, all of this means the same test.
What diseases can be detected with this test?
This is the best and most practical way to see how well a child's stomach is functioning.
This test mainly detects a condition called gastroparesis . This means that the food in the child's stomach takes longer than usual to empty. Normally, it takes about an hour and a half to two hours for the food we eat to move from the stomach to the small intestine. In a child with gastroparesis, this process happens very slowly.
Also, sometimes food passes too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine. This is called dumping syndrome . This condition can also be detected with this test. In addition, it can sometimes help detect gastroesophageal reflux, a condition in which stomach acid flows back up the esophagus.
Your doctor may recommend this test if your child has any of the following symptoms:
- If you vomit frequently
- If you keep talking about a stomach ache
- If you are not gaining weight in a way that is appropriate for your age
- If you feel full even after eating a small amount of food (this is called early satiety)
This test is very important to find the cause of such problems early and begin treatment.
How do you prepare your child for the test?
The child needs to be prepared a little before this test.
The most important thing is that the child should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the test . The child's stomach should be completely empty.
If your child is taking any medications, be sure to tell your doctor about them. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications for a few days before the test.
Also, teach your child a little about this. Let them know, "We're going to do a little test, take some photos, it won't hurt." Since the test will take several hours, don't forget to bring something to keep your child occupied, such as a toy, book, or tablet, during the scan.
What happens during the test?
Let's go through the steps of what happens on the day of the test. If you explain this to your child in a simple way, it will reduce their fear.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Wearing a hospital gown | A radiologist or technician will take the child to the scanning unit and dress them in a special gown provided by the hospital. |
| 2. Special meal | Next, the child is given a small snack. This is usually something like a boiled egg white and two slices of bread with jam. They are also given some water to drink. |
| 3. Adding 'tracers' | These eggs contain a very small amount of a harmless radioactive tracer. Don't worry, it won't cause any harm. The baby won't notice any difference in taste or color. |
| 4. Feeding time | This food should be eaten within 10 minutes . Keep the child as interested as possible and finish the food within that time. If the child vomits during this time, the test may have to be done on another day. |
| 5. Scanning | After eating, they take you to the scanning room. First, they do a scan for about a minute. Then, hourly, at 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours, they take small scans for about a minute. During this time, the child should not move. |
| 6. Interval | You can't give them anything else to eat or drink during this scan. So you have to stay close by. This is when those toys and books you brought will come in handy. |
How long does this test take?
The entire test usually takes about four to five hours , so it's best to prepare well and set aside a whole day for it.
What do you do after the test?
Once the last scan is done, you can go home. There is nothing special to do. You can let your child eat, drink, play, and go about their day as normal. There are no restrictions.
Is there any risk in this?
Many parents are afraid of this radiation. But there is really nothing to be afraid of. The amount of radioactive material used in this test is very, very small. Doctors say that it will not harm the baby. The material is eliminated from the body within a few hours.
But one thing to remember: If you are a pregnant mother or suspect you are pregnant, you should not undergo this test . The radiation can be harmful to the unborn baby.
When will I know the results?
A radiologist will look at these scans and calculate the time it took for the food to empty from the stomach and create a report. Within a few days, the report will be sent to your child's doctor. The doctor will then discuss the results with you and explain what to do next based on the results.
- What is a normal result? It usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours for the food we eat to move from the stomach to the small intestine. If your child's stomach empties within that time, that's a normal result.
- What if the results are abnormal? If there is any difference in the results, such as if food takes a long time to empty from the stomach (Gastroparesis) or if it empties too quickly (Dumping Syndrome), your doctor will explain the necessary treatment options to you.
Can this test detect cancer?
This is a problem that many people have. This test only directly measures the speed at which food empties from the stomach. Delayed gastric emptying can be a sign of cancer, but it is very, very rare in children . If cancer is suspected, other specialized tests (for example, an endoscopy) are done.
How can you help your child face this test without fear?
A hospital can be a scary place for a child. Although this test is not painful, it can be difficult for a child to stay in one place for hours. Here's how you can help:
- Getting used to it: The day before the test, play a game with your child to stay still for a while. This way, when you ask them to stay still during the scan, it won't seem like a big deal to them.
- Your support: Usually, either the mother or the father is allowed to accompany the child to the scan. It's a great support for the only child you have.
- Something from home: Bring something your child loves, like a toy or a book. This will help them feel at home even in the hospital.
- Tell your child it won't hurt: Remind them over and over again that this won't hurt at all. Explain simply, such as, "We're going to take a picture of the belly."
- Stay calm too: If you get nervous, your child may be even more scared. Your calm, smiling expression is a great encouragement to your child.
Take-Home Message
- A Gastric Emptying Study (GES) is a painless test that measures the time it takes for food to empty from a child's stomach.
- This helps to identify conditions such as gastroparesis, which causes problems such as frequent vomiting, stomach pain, and weight loss.
- The amount of radiation used in the test is very low and is completely safe for the child.
- Since the test takes about 4-5 hours, it is important to bring toys or books to keep your child occupied.
- Always discuss the test results and next steps with your doctor.
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