Are Fecal Transplants Effective in Children with IBD?

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea and is increasing in prevalence both in adult and paediatric populations. Moreover, those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of CDI. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for recurrent CDI, but little data is available regarding the effectiveness and associated microbiome changes of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for Clostridium difficile infection in children. In a recent study, researchers investigated C. difficile eradication and microbiome changes with FMT in children with and without IBD. Dr. Mark Bartlett discusses the results, and also provides insight into why IBD patients are susceptible to recurrent CDI. The study is published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Read the full study online here.

For more information about IBD, visit mayoclinic.org/IBD.

Dr. Bartlett is a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic.