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Breath Gases, Gut Flora, and Immunity in Children With Constipation

27 agosto 2026 aggiornato da: Ruijin Hospital

Correlation Study on End-expiratory NO, H2S, H2, CH4, Intestinal Flora and Immune Function in Children With Constipation

Constipation is a common problem in children that can affect their daily life, school performance, and social activities. Researchers have found that the bacteria living in our intestines (called "gut microbiome") may play an important role in constipation. However, we still do not fully understand exactly how these bacteria affect constipation in children.

This study aims to explore whether the gases children breathe out-including nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), hydrogen (H₂), and methane (CH₄)-can tell us something about the bacteria in their guts. By comparing children with constipation to healthy children, we hope to find out:

Whether the gases in their breath are different Whether the types of bacteria in their guts are different Whether there is a relationship between breath gases and gut bacteria If we find clear connections, this could lead to a simple, non-invasive breath test that doctors can use to understand a child's gut health without the need for more invasive procedures.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Attivo, non reclutante

Condizioni

Descrizione dettagliata

Childhood functional constipation (FC) is a multifactorial syndrome with a global prevalence of approximately 9.5% among pediatric populations, accounting for up to 29% of functional gastrointestinal disorders. It significantly affects physical health, academic performance, and psychosocial development, with approximately 25% of affected children continuing to experience gastrointestinal symptoms into adulthood. While conventional factors such as diet, fluid intake, and psychological stress have been implicated, the precise pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood.

Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of the gut microbiome in regulating intestinal motility and visceral sensitivity through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Microbial metabolites-including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), serotonin, bile acids, and gases (methane, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide)-serve as key signaling molecules that influence enteric neurotransmission, smooth muscle contraction, and gastrointestinal transit time. Notably, hydrogen (H₂) and methane (CH₄) are exclusively of microbial origin (produced via anaerobic fermentation of carbohydrates by intestinal flora), while hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is generated both endogenously and by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Nitric oxide (NO), though primarily endogenously produced, may also reflect intestinal inflammatory status and microbial metabolic activity.

The integration of breath gas analysis and metagenomic profiling offers a promising, non-invasive approach to elucidate host-microbe interactions in FC. However, systematic evaluations linking these four exhaled gases (NO, H₂S, H₂, CH₄) to the taxonomic and functional composition of the gut microbiome in constipated children remain scarce. This study is designed to bridge this knowledge gap, providing mechanistic insights and potentially establishing breath testing as a surrogate marker for gut dysbiosis in pediatric constipation.

Tipo di studio

Osservativo

Iscrizione (Stimato)

200

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Luoghi di studio

    • Shanghai Municipality
      • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, Cina, 200025
        • Ruijin Hospital

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Bambino

Accetta volontari sani

Sì

Metodo di campionamento

Campione non probabilistico

Popolazione di studio

Children aged 6 to 14 years recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Pediatrics at Ruijin Hospital (North Campus), Shanghai, China. The study population includes two groups: (1) children diagnosed with functional constipation according to Rome criteria, and (2) healthy children undergoing routine health check-ups with no chronic or acute digestive disorders. All participants must have no recent (within 4 weeks) exposure to antibiotics, probiotics, or medications affecting gastrointestinal motility. Informed consent is obtained from the legal guardian of each participant.

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Children aged 6 to 14 years, male or female.
  • Legal guardian provides written informed consent.
  • No use of antibiotics, probiotics, lactulose, antacids, or gastrointestinal prokinetic agents within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
  • For the constipation group: Clinical diagnosis of functional constipation according to Rome criteria, defined as meeting at least two of the following criteria for two consecutive months: (a) fewer than two bowel movements per week; (b) at least one episode of fecal incontinence per week; (c) history of massive fecal retention or posturing related to fecal retention; (d) history of painful or difficult defecation; (e) presence of a large fecal mass in the rectum; (f) passage of stools large enough to obstruct the toilet. Additionally, no enema or acute enteritis within 2 weeks prior to enrollment.
  • For the healthy control group: No chronic digestive diseases or acute illnesses; no enema or acute enteritis within 2 weeks prior to enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Use of antibiotics, probiotics, lactulose, antacids, or gastrointestinal prokinetic agents within 4 weeks prior to enrollment (if not already excluded at screening).
  • Clinically significant abnormalities in liver, kidney, neurological, respiratory, or coagulation function as determined by the investigator.
  • Unstable vital signs.
  • Presence of other underlying systemic diseases (e.g., metabolic, endocrine, or organic gastrointestinal disorders).
  • Any other condition that, in the investigator's opinion, makes the participant unsuitable for enrollment.

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

Coorti e interventi

Gruppo / Coorte
Constipation Group
Children aged 6 to 14 years diagnosed with functional constipation according to Rome criteria (at least two of the following for two consecutive months: fewer than two bowel movements per week; at least one episode of fecal incontinence per week; history of massive fecal retention or posturing related to fecal retention; history of painful or difficult defecation; presence of a large fecal mass in the rectum; passage of stools large enough to obstruct the toilet). Participants have not used antibiotics, probiotics, lactulose, antacids, or prokinetic agents within 4 weeks prior to enrollment, and have not received enema or had acute enteritis within 2 weeks. Intervention: Non-interventional; participants undergo a one-time breath test (end-expiratory NO, H₂S, H₂, CH₄), stool collection (within 2 days), and blood draw (2 mL).
Control Group
Healthy children aged 6 to 14 years with no chronic digestive diseases or acute illnesses, recruited from routine health check-up visits. Participants have not used antibiotics, probiotics, lactulose, antacids, or prokinetic agents within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. Intervention: Non-interventional; participants undergo a one-time breath test (end-expiratory NO, H₂S, H₂, CH₄), stool collection (within 2 days), and blood draw (2 mL).

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
End-expiratory concentrations and peak values of H2
Lasso di tempo: Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
Comparison of the fasting end-expiratory concentrations (ppm) and peak values of hydrogen (H2) between children with functional constipation and healthy controls. Breath samples are collected during a single morning session after an overnight fast using a validated portable breath analyzer.
Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
End-expiratory concentrations and peak values of H2S
Lasso di tempo: Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
Comparison of the fasting end-expiratory concentrations (ppm) and peak values of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) between children with functional constipation and healthy controls. Breath samples are collected during a single morning session after an overnight fast using a validated portable breath analyzer.
Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
End-expiratory concentration and peak value of methane (CH₄)
Lasso di tempo: Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
Comparison of fasting end-expiratory CH₄ concentration (ppm) and peak values between children with functional constipation and healthy controls. CH₄ is exclusively produced by methanogenic archaea in the gut and is not metabolized by mammalian cells. Elevated CH₄ levels (e.g., ≥10 ppm) are associated with prolonged colonic transit time and increased constipation severity. The analysis will compare intergroup differences in both baseline concentration and maximum peak values during the breath test.
Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
End-expiratory concentration and peak value of nitric oxide (NO)
Lasso di tempo: Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
Comparison of fasting end-expiratory NO concentration (ppb) and peak values between children with functional constipation and healthy controls. End-expiratory NO reflects systemic and intestinal inflammatory status. Alterations in NO levels may indicate mucosal barrier dysfunction or low-grade inflammation associated with constipation. The analysis will compare intergroup differences in both baseline concentration and maximum peak values.
Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.

Altre misure di risultato

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Fecal metabolomic profiles
Lasso di tempo: Within 2 days after the breath test (baseline)
Identification and comparison of untargeted fecal metabolomic profiles via LC-MS/MS between constipated children and healthy controls. Differential metabolites and enriched KEGG metabolic pathways will be identified.
Within 2 days after the breath test (baseline)
serum gastrointestinal hormone levels
Lasso di tempo: At the single study visit (baseline)
Comparison of serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones (e.g., motilin) and routine blood parameters between the two groups. Blood samples (2 mL) are drawn at enrollment and processed via ELISA and automated hematology analyzers.
At the single study visit (baseline)

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Effettivo)

1 gennaio 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

31 dicembre 2027

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

31 dicembre 2027

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

17 agosto 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

27 agosto 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

1 settembre 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

1 settembre 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

27 agosto 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 agosto 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • C001

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

NO

Descrizione del piano IPD

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared publicly due to the following reasons: (1) This is a single-center observational study with a relatively small sample size (N=200), and the data are collected specifically for the exploratory objectives of this protocol; (2) The study involves pediatric participants (ages 6-14), and the informed consent form, approved by the institutional ethics committee, does not include provisions for sharing individual-level data with external investigators; (3) The data include sensitive genomic (metagenomic sequencing) and metabolomic profiles, which may carry re-identification risks; (4) The research team lacks the infrastructure and funding to support data anonymization, transfer, and external curation at this time. Summary-level results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .