Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 7, 2014; 20(41): 15241-15252
Published online Nov 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15241
Gastrointestinal endoscopy in pregnancy
Nurten Savas
Nurten Savas, Department of Gastroenterology, Baskent Universitesi Hastanesi, 06990 Istanbul, Turkey
Author contributions: Savas N designed and performed the study, and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Nurten Savas, Department of Gastroenterology, Baskent Universitesi Hastanesi, Oymacı Sokak No. 7, Altunizade, 06990 Istanbul, Turkey. nakyurek2000@yahoo.com
Telephone: +90-216-5541500 Fax: +90-216-4749596
Received: January 10, 2014
Revised: May 25, 2014
Accepted: July 29, 2014
Published online: November 7, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Gastrointestinal endoscopy has a major diagnostic and therapeutic role in most gastrointestinal disorders; however, limited information is available about clinical efficacy and safety in pregnant patients. Endoscopic procedures during pregnancy may include upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, enteroscopy of the small bowel or video capsule endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasonography. All gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in pregnant patients should be performed in hospitals by expert endoscopists and an obstetrician should be informed about all endoscopic procedures.