Faecal volatiles in children with inflammatory bowel disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of faecal volatile organic compounds in the diagnosis of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease
IRAS ID
223199
Contact name
Stephen J Allen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results in serious, lifelong gastrointestinal morbidity and poor quality of life. It has become much more common in children in recent years such that 25% of all new cases now occur in young people. Gastrointestinal endoscopy and imaging are required to confirm a diagnosis in children with suspected IBD. These investigations are highly distressing for children and their families, delay diagnosis and the start of treatment and are costly to the NHS. These tests need repeating at regular intervals further impairing quality of life. Children and families who have undergone these procedures voice a strong desire for tests that are non-invasive and give a rapid result. Parents of children with IBD are members of our research team and have helped to design the study.\n\nThe measurement of a marker of intestinal inflammation called “calprotectin” in a stool sample is helpful but does not differentiate IBD from other conditions such as gut infections. Stool volatile organic compounds (VOCs), responsible for stool odour, can be measured rapidly in the clinic at low cost. Research in adults by our group has shown that stool VOCs differentiated IBD from irritable bowel syndrome and also Crohn’s colitis from ulcerative colitis. However, early-onset IBD differs greatly from adult-onset disease; therefore, this new technology needs to be tested in children. \n\nAlthough stool VOCs have been shown to differentiate children with IBD from healthy controls, we plan to see if they can differentiate IBD from other common gut problems seen in paediatric clinics. We will also test whether VOCs can differentiate Crohn’s disease from ulcerative colitis in children and whether they are useful in monitoring response to treatment. Our ultimate goal is to see whether stool VOCs can replace endoscopy and imaging. This would greatly improve our patients’ experience and markedly reduce healthcare costs.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0333
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion