Bravo‐pH test measures the severity of reflux from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe) and helps us learn if your child’s symptoms are caused by reflex.
Preparing Your Child
- Avoid taking acid blocking medications (antacids) or medications that affect stomach motility for five days before the test unless told otherwise. If you are unsure if a medication is okay to take, ask your doctor.
- No food for 8 hours before the test.
- No drinks for 6 hours before the test.
- Your child may take regularly scheduled medications with a small sip of water.
Description of Test
- The doctor will place a small capsule (bravo) into the child’s esophagus that will send a signal to the recorder that will be worn for 48 hours. The capsule will fall off in about a week and pass out of the body. Do not have an MRI for the next 30 days or if one is necessary your child must have an x ray to confirm the bravo is no longer in the body.
- The procedure happens in the operating room under anesthesia.
- The recorder needs to be kept within 3 feet of you at all times; if it is further than 3 feet, it will lose signal and beep. If this happens, bring the recorder to your child’s chest and it will reconnect and stop beeping.
- Do not get recorder wet.
- For best results, your child should eat, drink, go to work/school and exercise normally.
During the Test
- All button functions are active ONLY when the screen is lit. If the screen is off, press any button to wake the screen up and then press the button you need to record.
- Write your child’s symptoms (cough, irritability, arching, emesis, throat clearing, and heartburn) in the diary and push the symptom button on the recording device. This is VERY IMPORTANT for the correct interpretation of the study.
- Meal times (start and end) and lying down (start and end) should be recorded in the diary and on the device by pushing the button.
- Avoid acidic foods, carbonated beverages, very hot or cold drinks, chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy during the test.
- This test does not cause pain, although it may be uncomfortable for your child.
After the Test
- Return the recorder box and diary to CHOC. The information collected in the recorder box will be downloaded and reviewed by a doctor.
- Your doctor will talk to you about the results at your next visit.
