Psyllium with Meals for Children with IBS and Fructan Sensitivity

ASSESSING PSYLLIUM GIVEN WITH MEALS FOR FRUCTAN SENSITIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-11159484

This project explores if adding psyllium to meals can help children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome who are sensitive to fructans, a type of carbohydrate.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11159484 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) causes abdominal pain in many children, and certain foods called FODMAPs, like fructans, can make symptoms worse. While a low-FODMAP diet can help, it's often hard for children to follow and can lead to other health concerns. This work aims to find a simpler way to manage fructan sensitivity by seeing if psyllium, a type of fiber, can reduce pain when taken with meals. We know that fructans are fermented by gut bacteria, and this process might be different in children who are sensitive to them. Psyllium is a gentle fiber that has shown promise in reducing abdominal pain in children with IBS.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children between 0-11 years old who have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and experience symptoms related to fructan sensitivity.

Not a fit: Patients whose IBS symptoms are not related to fructan sensitivity or who do not experience abdominal pain may not receive benefit from this specific approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer children with IBS a simpler and more practical way to manage their fructan sensitivity without needing a strict, restrictive diet.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that psyllium can decrease abdominal pain in children with IBS, suggesting a foundation for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.