Low FODMAP Diet Is Not Effective in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
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.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.