12 - 24 Months

2 - 5 Years

6 - 11 Years

12 - 17 Years

Talk With Your Healthcare Provider

Diagnostic Tests

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Safety Information

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How Prevacid Works

Doctor Discussion Guide

GERD Diary

Helpful Resources

My Endoscopy Story

pH Probe

Funny Tummy

My Child's Health Notebook

Coloring Contest

Tests healthcare providers use to diagnose GERD

It may be possible for your healthcare provider to diagnose GERD (acid reflux disease) based just on a physical examination and the information you provide. That is why it is so important to talk with the healthcare provider about all your child's symptoms. Sometimes, diagnostic tests may also be needed. These tests can check your child's esophagus, stomach, and small intestine to see if there are problems.

• Barium swallow radiograph (also called an upper GI series) — The child is given a small amount of special liquid to drink, and then x-rays are taken. The liquid allows the healthcare provider to see the outline of the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. The upper GI series can help spot problems with the shape or size of the esophagus. However, this test cannot be used on its own to diagnose GERD.
• Endoscopy — This test looks for damage to the esophagus that may be caused by stomach acid. Your child receives anesthesia (medicine that puts him or her to sleep for a short time). The healthcare provider slides a thin, flexible plastic tube down into the child's esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the tube allows the healthcare provider to look closely at the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine to check for any signs of damage from the stomach acid or other problems. This test can be used to diagnose GERD.
• Esophageal pH monitoring — This test measures the acid levels in the esophagus and shows when acid reflux occurs. One common pH monitoring test is called a pH probe. The healthcare provider places a thin flexible tube through a child's nose down into the esophagus with the tip just above the stomach. The other end of the tube (the probe) is connected to a recording device that monitors the acid levels. The tube stays in for about 24 hours. This test helps to diagnose GERD but cannot tell whether the esophagus has been damaged.

When testing is finished, your healthcare provider may be able to tell if your child's symptoms are GERD. If they are, treatment is available that can relieve the symptoms and heal damage (called erosions) to the esophagus. Ask your healthcare provider whether Prevacid is right for your child.

For parents of children scheduled to have an endoscopy

Download this free booklet, My Endoscopy Story by Jack. Jack and his big sister, Emily, explain what happened when Jack had his endoscopy. The booklet is filled with useful pictures and fun facts about the digestive system.

For parents of children scheduled to have a pH probe test

Download our free booklet, Korky the Kangaroo Has a pH Probe.Designed as an interactive, read-aloud booklet, your child can learn from Korky what to expect.

IMPORTANT SAFETY AND OTHER INFORMATION:
Prescription Prevacid is approved for GERD in children aged 1–17 years. Individual results may vary. Prevacid Capsules and Prevacid® SoluTab™ (lansoprazole) Orally Disintegrating Tablets may not be right for everyone. Prevacid has a low occurrence of side effects in adults and children including diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, constipation, and headache. Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions. For further information, talk with your child's healthcare provider and click here for complete Prevacid prescribing information.