Upper Gastrointestinal Study

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

What is a UGI (Upper Gastrointestinal) study?

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.

What to Expect the During of the Exam

Step 1: Getting Ready

• A staff member of the Radiology department will walk you from the waiting room to the X-ray exam room. 
• Once inside the room, you and your child will see a camera attached to a long table with a video screen behind it.
• Your child will be asked to change into a hospital gown and lay down on the table.

Small Bowel Follow Through

(If requested)

Step 1: Getting Ready  

• Once the first part of the UGI study is complete, the second part of the study (small bowel) will take place. 
• In order to fully highlight the small intestine, the patient will be asked to drink more liquid called “Barium.”
• Your child will remain in a hospital gown and will be asked to lay down on the table once ready to take pictures.

Step 2: Taking Pictures

• Pictures are taken of the abdomen approximately every 30 minutes or as requested by the radiologist. The amount of time to complete the test is different for each child. Please plan for the test to take approximately 1 to 4 hours.
• As the technologist takes pictures, the camera will move over top of your child’s stomach but it never touches them.  Reassure your child this does not hurt.
• The technologist will take pictures of the last part of the child’s small bowel and the test is complete.

Step 3: Results

Results will be sent to your doctor usually within 48 hours.

Reviewed by: Carrie Firestone Baum, MD

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:41 PM