by Numan Oezguen, James Versalovic
An accurate diagnosis of patients with IBS remains a challenge because it relies largely on clinical criteria. Now scientists have developed an improved disease classification technique that enables personalized diagnosis of pediatric patients with IBS based on their gut microbiome.
In this study, Texas researchers investigated the structure, function, and variation of the gut microbiota in healthy children, aged 7-12 years (n = 37).
Previous research has shown that adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who adopt a low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet show an improvement in symptoms within 2 days. Would the low FODMAP diet have the same effect in childhood IBS? Does the gut microbiota predict the success of the diet in children who respond to this dietary intervention?
