Your child had an upper GI (gastrointestinal) series. This test uses X-rays to take moving pictures of the esophagus, stomach, and part of the small intestine. The barium (a type of liquid that shows up on X-rays) your child drank before the test coated the inside of these organs to show their shape and how they are working. This test can help find the cause of problems such as frequent vomiting, not gaining weight, stomach pain, or trouble swallowing.

Here's how to care for your child after the test.

• Your child can go back to their regular diet and activities right after the test. 
• Barium can cause constipation (hard-to-pass poops) and make your child's poop look white or gray for a few days. Encourage your child to drink extra liquids and eat high-fiber foods (like fruits, vegetables, and beans). This will help move the barium out of the body and help the poop go back to normal.
• Check with your health care provider about how to get the results of the test.

Your child:

• isn't pooping normally after a few days
• is having belly pain or cramping

Does an upper GI series use radiation? Kids who get an upper GI series are exposed to a small amount of radiation. Although radiation has been linked to a higher risk of cancer, the risk from one study is very small. Health care providers only order an upper GI series when it's needed, and the radiologist doing the test uses the smallest amount of radiation possible to get the images they need.