Starship Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Postal Address

Private Bag 92 024
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142

Contact Details

Phone (09) 367 0000 ext 22292
Fax (09) 375 4371

Outpatient appointments and surgical booking enquiries: (09) 638 0400 or  

Barium Meal

This is an x-ray test of the small intestine. Your child will have to drink some special liquid (barium). If they are unable to drink the liquid, a soft flexible tube (naso-gastric tube) may be placed through one of their nostrils and then down into their stomach. The barium liquid can be seen on x-ray.  It coats the lining of the intestine and x-rays are then taken which may identify an abnormality of the intestine.

This test is done in the x-ray (radiology) department at Starship Hospital.

It is done to see if there are any problems with the small intestine (like Crohn’s disease or vomiting).

https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/gastroenterology-hepatology-liver/starship-paediatric-gastroenterology-and/