What is the Fecal Microbiota Transplantation?
A child undergoing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) receives healthy human donor stool by colonoscopy, enema, nasogastric (NG) tube, or capsule form—commonly referred to as "poop pills." When severe intestinal infections, such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), continue to worsen even after receiving antibiotic treatment, a prescription for it may be issued.
C. diff is a dangerous illness that can produce crippling diarrhea. In the United States, C. diff caused 29,000 adult fatalities in 2011 alone. Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for C. diff, however, recurrence is frequent. Antibiotics are unlikely to be effective by the third episode of severe C. diff, therefore, your child's physician may explore FMT as a treatment alternative.
Many more illnesses are now being...