Fiberoptic bronchoscopy

During a bronchoscopy, a thin tube called a bronchoscope is inserted into your child's airway. The tube bends easily and won't make it hard for your child to breathe. It helps doctors look directly at your child's airways to find the cause of breathing problems.

It also may let the doctor clean out your child's airways. This is called a lung lavage. When the lung openings are cleaned, a sample of mucus will be taken to see if there is an infection.

Your child will be given anesthesia through the IV (intravenous line). This keeps your child from feeling pain.

The test takes 40 to 60 minutes to complete. After the test, your child will need to stay in the hospital at least 2 hours. Your child must be fully awake before going home.

A health care provider will tell you how to prepare for the test. If you do not follow these directions, the test may have to be cancelled.

If your child normally takes medicine in the morning, the doctor will tell you if you should give it on the day of the test. If you give your child the medicine give it with a very small sip of water or juice.

If your child is 1 year old or younger, do not give your child any solid food or formula after midnight. Your child may have formula or breast milk until 6 hours before the test. Your child may have clear liquids until 3 hours before the test.

If your child is older than 1, do not give your child any solid food or non-clear liquids such as milk after midnight before the test. Your child may have clear liquids until 3 hours before the test, including water, fruit juice, Kool-Aid®, clear soda and Pedialyte®. Do not give your child red or cloudy liquids.