Effects of Soluble Corn Fiber Supplementation on Stool Consistency and GI Symptomatology in Children From the MetA Bone Trial

Objectives: Fiber provides benefits for gut health, including improving gut –integrity, gut microbiome and normalizes bowel function. However, there's not enough studies on fiber supplementation and stool consistency in healthy children. In this study, we evaluated the effect of soluble corn fiber supplementation on stool consistency and GI symptomatology in children 9-14 years old. Methods: In this secondary data analysis, we used baseline and 12-month visit data from healthy children 9-14 years old participating in the ongoing MetA-Bone Trial. The intervention group received soluble corn fiber supplementation (12 g/d) for 12 months; the control group received maltodextrin. Socio-demographic variables and GI symptomology were collected with a questionnaire. Participants provided fecal and urine samples at baseline and at 12-month. Bristol scale was completed by participants to assess stool consistency; diet (24-hr recalls; analyzed with NDSR). Hydration status was obtained through Urine Specific Gravity (USG) measurements done in 24-h urine samples. Statistical analyses were done using ANCOVA, t-test, Pearson correlation, and Chi-Square tests. Results: On 35 participants, mean age was 12.3 ± 1.6 years, 51.4% were male, and 82.8% were Hispanic/Latino. Our results showed no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in stool consistency from baseline to 12 months (P=0.078) after adjusting for age. Stool consistency was not associated with dietary fiber, water intake and USG at baseline or 12 months (P >0.05). Regarding the GI symptomatology reported by the participants, no correlation was found with soluble corn fiber supplementation at 12 months (P=0.092). Conclusions: Our results showed no significant association between soluble corn fiber supplementation, GI symptomatology and stool consistency in healthy children. Even though our sample size was small, these results are consistent with the literature on increased soluble fiber consumption and its lack of laxative effects in the adult population. More research is needed to evaluate different types of fiber and its effects on children's GI symptomatology and stool consistency. Funding Sources: National Institutes of Health (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development).