Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows doctors to look inside the body using a special instrument called an endoscope. It is commonly used to examine the intestines and digestive tract to help diagnose various conditions.

In addition to visual examination, an endoscopy can also be used to take small tissue samples (biopsies) of any suspicious areas, control bleeding, and remove unwanted growths or polyps.

Endoscopy is usually a day-care procedure, meaning the patient can go home the same day after a short period of observation.

An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure in which a flexible tube with a camera, called an endoscope, is gently passed through the mouth to examine the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).

In patients with liver disease, increased pressure in the blood vessels of the oesophagus and stomach (a condition known as portal hypertension) can cause these vessels to become enlarged and fragile. These swollen veins, called varices, may rupture and bleed suddenly — a life-threatening emergency. Using endoscopy, doctors can identify the bleeding vessels and control the bleeding by applying special rubber bands or medical glue.

While this procedure can be performed on awake and cooperative adults, children require sedation or anaesthesia to ensure comfort and safety during the examination. Special paediatric endoscopes are available, allowing the procedure to be safely performed even in newborn babies.

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure in which a flexible endoscope is used to examine the inside of the large intestine (colon). In children, this test is often used to investigate causes of chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, rectal bleeding, and other unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.

During the procedure:

• The child is sedated or under general anaesthesia for comfort and safety.
• The colonoscope is inserted through the anus and advanced through the colon
• The physician inspects the intestinal lining, takes small tissue samples (biopsies) if needed, and can remove polyps or perform therapeutic maneuvers when necessary.

Afterwards, recovery is monitored until the child is awake and stable before discharge