Fecal Microbial Transplants (FMT) at GI Care for Kids
At GI Care for Kids, we are innovative leaders in the field of pediatric gastroenterology. We were the first GI docs in the state of Georgia to use fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) – commonly called fecal transplants or poop transplants – to treat recurring Clostridium difficile infections in children. We have performed the procedure for more than 60 pediatric patients so far. You can read the story about one of our first FMT patients here: Georgia girl gets lifesaving fecal transplant to treat C. diff infection.
Fecal Transplants are Amazingly Effective
Fecal transplants have been shown to be up to 90% effective in getting rid of notoriously difficult-to-treat C. diff in those with recurring infections.
On the other hand, antibiotics for recurrent C. diff infections are not so effective. As many as 60% of those who experience a third C. diff infection will have a fourth, despite long-term treatments with antibiotics and probiotics.
Fecal transplants appear to be safe – but the procedure is an investigational treatment that has only recently been introduced to humans on a large scale, so long-term safety issues are unknown.
Where Does the Fecal Transplant Come From?
Transplant stool can come from a donor you select, as long as they meet extensive screening requirements. For example, the donor should not be obese or have a chronic disease, autoimmune condition, used antibiotics recently, a history of multiple sex partners or IV drug use, tattoos, or other risk factors for communicable diseases. We can arrange for a screening of a donor you select. This involves a consultation with a specialist in infectious diseases. If the donor passes the screening, a stool sample is collected on the morning of the procedure and the donation is processed in preparation for the transplant.
A second method involves using a donor bank. There is a donor bank in Boston, Openbiome, providing prescreened and processed samples for transplant throughout the U.S. Openbiome has provided thousands of samples to date. The donors are screened carefully for all of the diseases and infections that we would screen for, including AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, salmonella, E. coli, shigella, and Campylobacter. For each donated stool, we received a copy of screening results so that we can verify testing.
How a Fecal Transplant Is Done
For a fecal transplant by colonoscopy, your child will undergo the standard colon prep the day before the procedure. We will provide you with specific directions to follow. It is important to complete the bowel preparation steps as this removes a lot of the bad bacteria and allows the transplanted bacteria better access to the intestines.
After the FMT, fecal transplant, about 15% of patients have low grade fever, sometimes up to 101. There may be some abdominal distention, gas, and bloating, as well as constipation after a fecal transplant. Usually, patients with active C. diff feel better within the first few days afterward the FMT.
You can read more about the procedure at the Openbiome stool bank website.
Children’s Gastroenterologists in the Greater Atlanta area
Find out more about fecal transplants and how they may help your child clear a C. diff infection, once and for all. Call GI Care for Kids in the Greater Atlanta area at (404) 257-0799, or you can request an appointment now.