What is a UGI (Upper Gastrointestinal) study?

Also known as: Upper GI series, UGI series, UGI test, upper gastrointestinal series.

A UGI is a study that uses an X-ray called Fluoroscopy to help see how the upper gastrointestinal tract is working. It looks closely at the function of the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestines where food is digested.

During the test, your child will be asked to lay down on the X-ray table while they drink a liquid called “Barium” while the pictures are being taken. Barium acts as a highlighter to show details of the esophagus and track the direction food goes.

Many children say that the Barium looks like a milkshake and enjoy when the technologists mix it with another flavor to help make it taste better.

The amount of time to complete the test is different for each child.  Please plan for the test to take approximately 30 minutes to at least 1 hour once in the exam room.

Take note that your child should not eat or drink anything before the exam. A staff member will call you ahead of time to provide you with the proper eating and drinking instructions to follow for the day of the exam.

Because this test uses radiation, women who are pregnant and any other children are not permitted to be in the room during the scan. If you are pregnant, please bring another adult who can stay with your child during the scan and/or another adult who can wait in the waiting room with the other children.

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Reviewed by: Carrie Firestone Baum, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM