Capsule Endoscopy (Pillcam™)

A capsule endoscopy allows your doctor to see the inside of the small intestine. Your child will swallow a large pill (capsule) with a camera in it. As it travels through their intestine, pictures are sent to a recorder they wear on a waist sensor belt. This recorder will be worn for 8 hours to complete the study.

How to Prepare

Follow this schedule starting 1 week before the capsule is swallowed on test day:

• 7 days before – Stop giving your child iron or Carafate^®
• 3 days before – Stop using product that contains bismuth, like Pepto-Bismol^®
• 1 day (24 hours) before – Do not give your child any over-the-counter antacids.
• Give your child their other regular medicines all week.
• Talk to your child's doctor or health care provider about when they need to start a clear liquid diet and stop eating.

The Test

• A sensor belt will be attached to your child’s chest and belly (abdomen) with sticky pads. It will be connected to the recorder on the waist belt.
• Your child will swallow the capsule with water.
• Keep a record of your child’s eating, drinking, and activity during the test.
  • 2 hours after swallowing the capsule, your child can have clear liquids.
  • 4 hours after swallowing the capsule, they can have a light snack.
• Staff will tell you when you need to return the sensor belt to the GI procedure room.

Risks

Problems from the test are rare but can happen. When part of the intestine is too small, the capsule may get stuck. Your child may need surgery to remove it.

After the Test

• Your child may go back to a regular diet and activity at home.
• Do not let your child run, jump, or play roughly until the PillCam has come out.
• The PillCam will come out when your child poops (has a bowel movement) in several days. Check their poop to make sure it comes out. The PillCam can be flushed.
• If you have not seen the PillCam after 1 week, call the GI office at (614) 722-3450.
• Do not let your child go near any powerful energy fields like an MRI machine.
• Be careful with the recorder. Check it each hour for a blinking, blue light. If the blue light is not blinking, let staff know. Do not disconnect or remove anything during the test.
• The doctor or health care provider will let you know the test results in about 2 weeks.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your child’s doctor, health care provider, or the GI office at (614) 722-3450 if they have:

• Fever of 100.4º Fahrenheit (F) or 38º Celsius (C) or higher.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Chest pain that keeps getting worse within 24 to 48 hours after the test.
• Throwing up (vomiting), bloating, or abdominal pain.
• Not passed the PillCam through pooping after 7 days.

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