http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avDFl3b2Y2Y

I have seen this before....I saw it with adult though not children....I can't imagine getting a kid to swallow any of the things they described.....:sad5: let alone a camera....I wonder if they could place it somehow on unwilling kids or one that are smaller ...and how old do they need to bee to swallow that ...I can't imagine an infant could get that down??? But ifit could be put in some how??

I don't know Debbie, but I think Eric could do it with practice before hand. It's for sure not for infants, and more for older children (probably older/bigger than Eric), but I had never seen anything before about using the camera in pediatrics and I think it's a great idea.
If they can get that little baby even smaller, imagine how it could help.

In adults, capsule endoscopy is typically not a first resort test. It is typically used when there is continued or reoccuring GI bleeding after traditional testing has not revealed the source. It is also used more often for small bowel aliments versus esophageal ones as its compact nature makes it easy to view the small bowel.

In reality it would be nice to use the capsule vs. putting a child under for traditional endoscopy as it would be less traumatic for parent and child. Unfortunately it is not more cost effective to use the capsule vs traditional endoscopy unless the circumstances mimic the above mentioned conditions. So you probably won't see insurance pay for the capsule to replace or offered as an alternative to traditional endoscopy until it does become more cost effective.

Pam,
Would it help with large bowel problems too?
I'm just thinking of my Niece and all the tests (UGI W/ small bowel follow through, CT scans, endo scope, colonoscopy, etc) she had to have to get the full picture of where her crohn's was and where it effected her insides. Where it seems like this one could give you a view of the whole tract with one test KWIM?
But maybe she was too swollen to chance giving her this test. Her GI said to chew really well, and not to even eat raisins as they might swell and get stuck within her scar tissue.

Do they ever use this for esophageal problems? It seems like it would move through the esophagus and stomach too fast to get good images.

I am aware of a 5 year old that has done capsule endoscopy. Its really best for checking out the actual bowels instead of the esophagus/stomach.
Info:

A wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is an exam of the small intestine using a capsule containing a tiny camera, which can be easily swallowed by most children. The capsule is about the size of a large vitamin. It takes pictures throughout the small intestine by sending images to a recorder -- about the size of a portable CD player -- that you or your child wears around the waist. The recorder must be worn for about eight hours. Eight stickers are placed on you or your child's abdomen to assist the capsule in capturing the pictures. The pictures captured by the recorder are downloaded into a computer program and reviewed by the Gastroenterologist.
Why is the test necessary? http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/images/spacer.gif The capsule travels throughout the entire small intestine to places where an endoscope cannot reach or examine, allowing for a full look of the small bowel. This is important for patients with bleeding lesions in the small intestine that have gone undetected by upper endoscopy and x-ray. Capsule endoscopy has also been useful in the diagnosis of small bowel Crohn's disease.
What happens during the test? http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/images/spacer.gif The test is usually done in the Endoscopy Unit on Farley 3 in the main hospital at Children's Hospital Boston. The capsule will be administered by a registered nurse from the Endoscopy staff. A gastroenterologist (doctor) will answer any questions you may have prior to the test. After your child's waist, height and weight are measured, eight stickers will be placed on your child's abdomen, which will be connected to the recording device. A loose soft wrap will be wrapped around your child's abdomen to keep the stickers in place. Your child will then swallow the capsule with a small amount of water. The recorder and battery pack will be belted around your child's waist. The nurse will review diet, exercise and return time instructions with you.
http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/images/spacer.gif What happens after the test? http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/images/spacer.gif Following the exam, your child may resume normal activities, including exercise, and may resume all medications immediately. Until the capsule passes out of the body, further testing including any type of MRI, should be avoided. The capsule will pass naturally in a bowel movement, typically in about 24 hours.
Info courtesy of Childrens Hosp. of Boston
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http://www.gastroendonews.com/index.asp?section_id=190&show=dept&issue_id=359&article_id=9745
You'll have to sign up(its free) to read the article.
It says if the child cannot swallow, they place it in the stomach. Interesting.