British clinicians conducted a clinical trial of a diet rich in amino acids and probiotics in 14 children with type I spinal muscular atrophy. To participate, the children had to be tube fed for at least 90% of their energy intake and have gastrointestinal disorders:
- the median age of the participants in this open study was 4.1 years,
- a clear improvement in constipation was noted, to the point where many of them were able to stop taking medication for bowel problems.
Although there is a lack of information on the long-term effectiveness and potential adverse effects of this dietary measure, it is likely to improve the quality of life of children and their carers.
