Breath Gases, Gut Flora, and Immunity in Children With Constipation
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
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
Iscrizione (Stimato)
Contatti e Sedi
Luoghi di studio
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Shanghai Municipality
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Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, Cina, 200025
- Ruijin Hospital
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Criteri di partecipazione
Criteri di ammissibilità
Età idonea allo studio
- Bambino
Accetta volontari sani
Metodo di campionamento
Popolazione di studio
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
Come è strutturato lo studio?
Dettagli di progettazione
Coorti e interventi
Gruppo / Coorte |
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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).
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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).
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Cosa sta misurando lo studio?
Misure di risultato primarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
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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.
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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.
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Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
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Misure di risultato secondarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
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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.
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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.
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Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
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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.
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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.
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Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
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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.
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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.
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Measured at baseline (single time point) after an overnight fast, during a single methane-hydrogen breath test session.
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Altre misure di risultato
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
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Fecal metabolomic profiles
Lasso di tempo: Within 2 days after the breath test (baseline)
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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.
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Within 2 days after the breath test (baseline)
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serum gastrointestinal hormone levels
Lasso di tempo: At the single study visit (baseline)
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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.
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At the single study visit (baseline)
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Collaboratori e investigatori
Sponsor
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Inizio studio (Effettivo)
Completamento primario (Stimato)
Completamento dello studio (Stimato)
Date di iscrizione allo studio
Primo inviato
Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità
Primo Inserito (Effettivo)
Aggiornamenti dei record di studio
Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)
Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC
Ultimo verificato
Maggiori informazioni
Termini relativi a questo studio
Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio
- C001
Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)
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