Prep #2: Prep for children under 8 years of age

For Patients Under 8 years of age

COLONOSCOPY INSTRUCTIONS

Your son/daughter is scheduled for a colonoscopy at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo. In order for the doctor to perform a colonoscopy a bowel cleanout must be completed at home prior to the procedure. A bowel cleanout is a combination of a clear liquid diet and an oral laxative called MiraLax. MiraLax can be purchased at your pharmacy with a prescription that has been provided.

*Do not take any ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or aspirin for 7-10 days prior to your procedure. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any pain relief.

Two days prior to the procedure:

1) A low residue diet should be followed.

2) Give MiraLax or Glycolax: prescribed dose in juice or water by mouth three times a day. Glycolax or MiraLax cannot be given in milk or pop.

As a special note, Glycolax or MiraLax is supplied in a powdered form that is then mixed into 8 oz of fluid. The cap to the bottle of Glycolax or MiraLax is marked at 17 grams. There is an arrow extending from the top inside of the cap that points to the 17 gram level line. (If you are giving only 8.5 grams, then fill to only half of that line)

On the day prior to your procedure:

1) A clear liquid diet should be followed. A clear liquid diet consists of Soda, juices without pulp, broth, Jell-O, Popsicles, Italian ice, hard candies (if age appropriate). Pretty much anything you can see through!!

Please encourage your child to eat or drink something every 30-45 minutes. This will help to reduce the sense of hunger and keep your child well hydrated. During any bowel cleanout it is important that your child stay well hydrated.

2) Give Glycolax or MiraLax: prescribed dose in juice or water by mouth three times a day. Glycolax or MiraLax cannot be given in milk or pop.

On the morning of your procedure:

1) Nothing by mouth after midnight. Not even GUM or CANDY!

Check in to Admissions at designated time. Admissions is located in the main lobby next to the Bijou Café. The main lobby can be reached by entering the hospital at either 118 Hodge or 219 Bryant. Then you will take the elevators up to the 4th floor and follow the green footprints. If you have any additional questions or you wish to cancel or your child becomes ill please call our office at (716) 878-7793 or (716) 878-7359 Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. If you cancel the weekend prior to or the morning of the procedure please call and leave a message at (716) 878-7047.