Colonoscopy in Children: What to Expect at Home
Your Child's Recovery
Your child has had a colonoscopy. Your doctor used a thin, lighted tube called a colonoscope to look for causes of symptoms such as belly pain and blood in the stool.
Your child may stay at the clinic or hospital until your child wakes up and the doctor says it's okay. You can then take your child home. Your doctor will tell you when your child can eat and do usual activities.
After the test, your child may be bloated or have gas pains. Your child may need to pass gas. If a biopsy was done or a polyp was removed, your child may have streaks of blood in their stool (feces) for a few days.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for your child to recover. But each child recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to help your child get better as quickly as possible.
How can you care for your child at home?
Activity
- Help your child rest as much as needed after going home.
- Your child should be able to go back to their usual activities the day after the test.
Diet
- Follow your doctor's directions for eating.
- Be sure that your child drinks plenty of fluids (unless your doctor has said not to) to replace the fluids that were lost during the colon prep.
Medicines
- Your doctor will tell you if and when your child can restart any medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about your child taking any new medicines.
- If a biopsy was done during the test, your doctor may not want your child to take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), for a few days.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
- Your child passes maroon or bloody stools.
- Your child has trouble breathing.
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has pain that does not get better after taking pain medicine.
- Your child is sick to the stomach or cannot drink fluids.
- Your child has new or worse belly pain.
- Your child has blood in their stool.
- Your child has a fever.
- Your child cannot pass stool or gas.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if your child has any problems.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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Current as of: October 25, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
