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Low FODMAP Diet Is Not Effective in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Annals of nutrition & metabolism
May 5, 2020
Katarzyna Mirosława Boradyn et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the low FODMAP diet in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) compared to a control diet based on NICE guidelines.

Results Summary

The low FODMAP diet showed a tendency toward improvement in abdominal symptoms but without statistical significance, while the NICE group experienced significant reductions in abdominal pain intensity and frequency and improved stool consistency.

Population

Children with diagnosed functional abdominal pain (FAP).

Effective Dosage

Not specified (food prepared and delivered by a catering company).

Duration

4-week dietary intervention.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low FODMAP diet
no change
abdominal symptoms
children with functional abdominal pain (FAP)
without statistical significance
tendency toward the improvement
#1
low FODMAP diet
no change
stool consistency
children with functional abdominal pain (FAP)
no significant differences
no significant differences
#2
diet based on NICE guidelines
decrease
abdominal pain intensity and frequency
children with functional abdominal pain (FAP)
p < 0.01
significant reduction
#3
diet based on NICE guidelines
increase
stool consistency
children with functional abdominal pain (FAP)
93% reporting normal stool, p < 0.05
improvement
#4
low FODMAP diet
no change
symptoms
children with functional abdominal pain (FAP)
-
is not effective in the reduction of symptoms
#5
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) has been shown to reduce symptoms among adult patients and children with irritable bowel syndrome. There are no studies investigating the effectiveness of the low FODMAP diet in pediatric patients with functional abdominal pain (FAP). OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the low FODMAP diet in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms in children with FAP in comparison to the control diet based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. METHODS: Twenty-seven children with diagnosed FAP were randomized to 2 groups. Each group received an intervention: the low FODMAP diet or the diet based on NICE. All food was prepared and delivered by a catering company. Data regarding gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded by participants during the 2-week baseline assessment and 4-week dietary intervention. The frequencies of abdominal pain and stools were reported as a number of events per day. The severity of abdominal pain was assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. The assessment of stool consistency was based on the Bristol Stool Form Scale. RESULTS: The tendency toward the improvement in abdominal symptoms was noted in the low FODMAP group but without statistical significance. No significant differences in stool consistency were observed in this group. The NICE group experienced significant reduction in abdominal pain intensity and frequency (p < 0.01) and improvement in stool consistency (93% reporting normal stool, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study suggest that the low FODMAP diet is not effective in the reduction of symptoms in children with FAP.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Abdominal PainChildChild, PreschoolDiet, Carbohydrate-RestrictedDisaccharidesDouble-Blind MethodFecesFemaleFermentationHumansMaleMonosaccharidesOligosaccharidesPain MeasurementPilot ProjectsPolymersTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy30/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations17
Citations/Year3.4
Relative Citation Ratio1.61
NIH Percentile67.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.12
Normalized Score0.45
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