GER may be diagnosed by a single office visit, or a referral may be needed to a pediatric gastroenterologist for further evaluation. Your doctor or specialist will review your child's symptoms, determine if her weight gain is appropriate, and possibly order special tests. An UGI is an X-ray of the stomach and esophagus after your child swallows a liquid drink called barium. If your child is unable to swallow the barium it will be given through a small feeding tube placed through the nose or mouth down the esophagus and into the stomach. Your child drinks a liquid called technetium, which shows any refluxing or anatomical problems on a special scanning device.
Parents are often concerned about the dangers of X-rays and consuming an unnatural liquid.
The barium can cause constipation, but there are no other side effects. A 24-hour pH probe is a fairly accurate test that shows any increased levels of stomach acid in the esophagus. The end of the tube reads the acid level and records it on the machine after each feeding. This test can be performed at home, however, some doctors prefer to hospitalize the infant during the test so a nurse can replace the probe immediately if it accidentally comes out. The last, but most invasive test is called an endoscopy.