What sorts of tests do they do to diagnose reflux?
-The golden stardard test for reflux is the pH probe. During this test, a probe is inserted into the esophagus for 24 hours to monitor the number of refluxes and the acidity. No anesthesia is used for this test. -Endoscopies (Scope) is when anesthesia is given to the child and a camera is insterted into the esophagus and other parts of the digestive tract to look for evidence of reflux (burns, inflammation, irritation). Normal results on an endoscopy do not rule out reflux. -An upper GI study tends to be one of the first tests done after a child has been diagnosed with reflux; however, it is not a diagnostic tool. The upper GI study rules out anatomical abnormalities so that the doctor may proceed with reflux treatment or refer to another specialist if something else is detected. During the upper GI study, the child drinks barium (radioactive liquid), and the doctor watches it move through the upper gastrointestinal tract. The child may visibly reflux during the study, but the study is
