Colonoscopy Bowel Prep — Under 15 kg
Under 33 lb · clear liquids + saline enema
← Other weight bands
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Procedure Location
St. Vincent Hospital — Pediatric Preop, Door #1
Arrive 90 minutes before your scheduled procedure
⚠️ Use this option only if directed by the doctor
This page describes a clear-liquids + saline-enema prep for infants and children under 15 kg. Use this protocol only when our office has specifically directed you to do so.
If a saline enema was not prescribed for home use, do not give one — the doctor will administer it just before the procedure.
✅ Plan Ahead — pick up from the pharmacy
- Pedialyte® or clear apple juice.
- Clear broth (chicken or vegetable).
- Popsicles or plain gelatin (no red or purple colors).
- Saline enema — only if prescribed, or if we have separately instructed you to give one.
- Protective ointment (A&D, Desitin®, or Vaseline®) for the diaper area.
Medications: please prepare a list of the medicines your child is taking and ask which ones may need to be stopped. Stop iron supplements and anti-diarrhea medicines 7 days before.
📅 Day Before the Procedure
| AVOID |
OK to drink |
| All solid foods |
Formula or milk (until 12:00 PM) |
| Formula or milk after 12:00 PM |
Breast milk (until 8:00 PM) |
| Breast milk after 8:00 PM |
Pedialyte®; clear apple juice (no pulp); water |
| Anything red or purple (looks like blood) |
Clear broth (chicken or vegetable, strained); popsicles or plain gelatin (no red/purple) |
Saline enema (only if directed)
If your doctor prescribed a saline enema for home use, give it in the evening. The dose is 10 mL per kg of body weight. If you were not told to give one at home, the doctor will give it right before the procedure.
Apply protective ointment to the diaper area.
⏱ Fasting Rules — Day of Procedure
These times are counted backward from your child's scheduled procedure time:
| What | When to Stop |
|---|
| Formula or milk (1 year and older) | 12:00 PM the day before |
| Breast milk | 8:00 PM the day before |
| Clear liquids (Pedialyte, water, clear juice) | 3 hours before procedure time |
⚠️ After the clear-liquid cutoff, no food or drink. This keeps your child safe during anesthesia.
⚠️ When to Call the Doctor
- Your child won't drink, or has dehydration signs: no tears, dry mouth, or no wet diapers for 6+ hours.
- Vomiting that prevents your child from keeping liquids down.
- Fever, bloody stools, or severe belly pain.
- You are unsure whether the prep is working.
- You have questions about your child's medications.
Call (317) 338-9450 with any of the concerns above.
💡 Tips for Success
- Offer clear liquids frequently in small amounts — a syringe, sippy cup, or bottle may help.
- Popsicles and gelatin help keep your child hydrated. Avoid red and purple — they can look like blood.
- Expect frequent watery stools — this means the prep is working.
- Keep the diaper area well protected with ointment to prevent irritation.
Helpful Resources
