Small bowel capsule biopsy in children: parents' opinions on children's discomfort

This questionnaire study asked the parents of 62 children undergoing small bowel capsule biopsy for their reactions to the discomfort experienced by t heir children. The children were randomized to receive sedation with midazo lam either intravenously or intranasally. With regard to the biopsy procedu re the parents of 94% of the children had no objections. The parents of 3% of the children found the biopsy very unpleasant and another 3% suggested t hat the biopsy should be performed under general anaesthesia. The proportio n of parents with negative reactions to the biopsy procedure did not differ significantly between the intravenously and intranasally sedated children. With regard to the sedation given, the parents of 79% of the children did not think that their children were in any discomfort at all. Ten percent of the children had obvious signs of nasal discomfort using the intranasal ad ministration. In the remaining 11% of the children the parents reported var ious symptoms. Conclusion: The vast majority of parents or children undergoing small bowel capsule biopsy found the procedure satisfactory providing that the sedativ e medication was given intravenously rather than intranasally.