Gut bacteria transplants show promise for children with stubborn Crohn's
NCT ID NCT05321745
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether repeated fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) from healthy donors, combined with a special liquid diet, can safely help children aged 2–16 with active Crohn's disease that hasn't improved with standard treatments. The goal is to see if this approach can reduce inflammation and bring about remission. The trial tracks both clinical and endoscopic healing, while monitoring for side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) plus partial enteral nutrition (PEN)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for children with Crohn's disease who have not responded to standard therapies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study. FMT carries risks like infection or abdominal pain, and the approach may not work for all children.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2022
- Expected to finish
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May 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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2 to 16 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Aged 2-16 years and without genetic diseases; All refractory pediatric with mild-to-moderate CD; Mild-to-moderate CD, defined by the pediatric Crohn's disease activity index (PCDAI) \>10 and ≤40 and Simple Endoscopic Score for CD (SES-CD) \> 3 were enrolled in the study; refractory CD, defined by children who failed conventional treatment (hormone, immunosuppressant, biologics) Exclusion Criteria Children who were treated by PEN (80%) less than 8 weeks; follow up less than 3 months; known contraindication to all FMT infusion method such as nasoduodenal tube insertion, oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), enteroscopy, colonoscopy, enema and Fecal capsule; unwilling to give informed consent/assent
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Tongji Hospital
RECRUITINGWuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
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