Impedance Studies

Miller Children’s is one of only a handful of hospitals to participate in these studies on the West Coast. Impedance studies are tests that are done to find out if contents from the stomach are coming up into the esophagus or food tube. It helps evaluate acid and non-acid gastroesophageal reflux. Most of these procedures require an overnight stay.

During this test, a thin, flexible tube is passed through the nose, down through the back of the throat, and into the esophagus.
The end of the tube is attached to a computer which will remain at the child's bedside throughout the study. The child will need to stay overnight in the hospital, to ensure that the computer can record the necessary data.
The study takes approximately 18 to 24 hours and the tube is left in place during this time.
Parents will be asked to keep a diary of their child's activity during the impedance study and the doctor will then use the diary to compare the computer reading with the child's activity. When going through this test parents are encouraged to bring books, small toys, videos or other items to occupy the child while he or she is in bed.