Barium Swallow and Meal (Babies and Children)

What is a barium meal?

This is an examination of your child’s upper digestive system and stomach. This examination is performed whilst your child swallows, which is recorded in real time using x-rays. The images can be replayed for the doctor.  This may help to provide a diagnosis, help identify their symptoms or decide further treatment options.

What does the examination involve? 

Your child will be asked by the radiographer to get changed into a gown, this ensures there is nothing that will show up on the images like buttons/poppers.

The radiographer will check your child’s details with you to ensure they are the correct person and are having the correct examination.

We will need your child to drink a special liquid (barium) so the doctor can see the upper digestive system and stomach on X-ray. Barium is a white chalky liquid. Your child will drink the liquid from a bottle or beaker, sometimes using a straw. It can be helpful for you to bring your child’s usual bottle/cup. The drink is not unpleasant and can be mixed with your child’s milk or squash.  

Babies and small children will be asked to drink the liquid lying down. Older children will drink standing up, whilst the x-ray camera is over their tummy. As the child drinks, the barium can be seen on the monitor.

The test will take approximately 20 minutes.

We normally ask one parent/carer to stay with the child during the examination to provide support and encouragement. We cannot allow you to stay with your baby if you are pregnant, it is important to protect an unborn child. If you are or may be pregnant it would be a good idea to bring someone else who can stay with your child.

Is there any preparation?

Please bring a clean baby’s nappy and sterile teat with you if your child drinks from a bottle.

Who will I meet?

Radiologist (A doctor who specialises in x-rays)
Radiographer
Student

After the examination

It is a good idea to bring a favourite snack and drink for your child to have once the examination is finished.

The barium will make your child’s stools pale in colour for a couple of days after the examination; this is nothing to worry about.

Sometimes barium can cause constipation, so it is a good idea to ensure your child drinks plenty of fluid and eats extra fruit and vegetables after the examination to prevent constipation.

Results    

Your imaging examination will be reported on by a diagnostic imaging specialist – e.g. radiologist, sonographer, reporting radiographer.

The report will be issued to your referring G.P or consultant team who will inform you of the next steps in your child’s care pathway.

The availability of the report can vary dependent on the type and complexity of the imaging examination.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us on 01305 254428.

About this leaflet

Author: Jeanette Bartlett, Interventional/Lead Fluoro Radiographer
Written: February 2025
Approved: March 2025
Review date: March 2028
Edition: v4

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk