RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

GUTLINK4KIDS Intervention

We're exploring whether giving a special fibre powder, called a prebiotic, to children aged 3 to 5 can help improve how they feel, sleep, think, and manage their emotions. This study is for children who don't get enough fibre in their diet. For eight weeks, some children will have the prebiotic powder, and others will have a dummy powder, without anyone knowing who gets what. We'll compare them to understand the longer-term effects of prebiotics on children's gut health and overall well-being. Researchers will collect information and stool samples from the children before and after the study to see if there are any changes. We hope to learn more about the link between gut health and children's development.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Reading

Enrolment target

106

Start

02 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

01 Feb 2027

Temperament Sleep Cognition Emotion Regulation

What is this study about?

This study, called GUTLINK4KIDS, is looking into how a particular type of fibre, known as a prebiotic, might affect young children. You might have heard of prebiotics in certain foods or supplements; they're like food for the good bacteria in our gut. We want to understand if regularly giving this prebiotic to children aged 3 to 5 can make a difference to their mood, how well they sleep, their thinking skills, and how they handle their feelings. We're especially interested in children who don't get enough fibre from their usual diet.

For this study, children will either receive a prebiotic powder or a tasteless dummy powder (placebo) for eight weeks. Neither the parents nor the researchers will know who is getting what until the study is over. This helps us get fair and unbiased results. We'll collect information from parents about their child's behaviour and thinking skills, and we'll also collect stool samples to look at the types of bacteria in their gut. We'll do this at the start and end of the eight weeks, and then check in again a month later to see if any changes remain.

The main goal is to find out if there's a link between what children eat (specifically this prebiotic fibre) and important aspects of their development like their temperament and thinking. By understanding this better, we hope to learn more about how to support children's health and well-being from a young age.

Key takeaways

Study explores linking gut health to children's mood, sleep, and thinking.
Children aged 3-5 who don't eat enough fibre may be eligible.
Involves a daily powder for 8 weeks (prebiotic or dummy).
Participation includes questionnaires and stool samples.
Aims to improve understanding of children's overall well-being.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for children aged between 3 and 5 years old (that's 36 to 71 months). To join, your child should generally be healthy and not typically eat enough fibre. For children aged 3-4 years, this means less than 10.4 grams of fibre per day, and for children aged 4-5 years, it means less than 12.6 grams per day.

There are some reasons why a child might not be able to join. For example, if your child has a serious ongoing illness, such as inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, or a condition affecting their brain development or immune system, they wouldn't be eligible. Also, children who have taken any prebiotics, probiotics, or antibiotics in the month before starting the study, or who have food allergies or intolerances, cannot take part.

We need parents who are 18 years or older to sign up their children for this study. Girls and boys are both welcome to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is my child between 3 and 5 years old?
Does my child generally seem healthy?
Does my child usually eat less than the recommended amount of fibre each day?
Does my child have any serious or ongoing health conditions?
Has my child taken any prebiotics, probiotics, or antibiotics in the last month?
Does my child have any known food allergies or intolerances?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you and your child join this study, it will involve daily for 8 weeks giving your child a powdered drink. This powder will either be the special fibre (prebiotic) or a dummy powder, and neither you nor the study team will know which it is until the study ends. You'll simply mix 5 grams of the powder into their food or drink each day.

Before starting and after the 8 weeks, you'll be asked to complete online questionnaires about your child's thinking skills and behaviour. We'll also ask for a stool (poo) sample from your child at the beginning and end of the 8-week period. This helps us understand any changes in their gut bacteria. About four weeks after your child finishes taking the powder (at week 12), you'll be asked to fill out one more set of online questionnaires. The total time for you and your child's active involvement in the study will be about 12 weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer some potential benefits by helping us learn more about how fibre affects children's health. Your child might even experience positive changes in their mood, sleep, or thinking skills, although we can't promise that. On the other hand, there might be some minor downsides, such as any temporary discomfort from providing stool samples, or mild tummy upset from the powder, though we expect this to be rare. Participating is completely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw your child from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your child's medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Reading, School of Psychology and Clinical Languages
Verified postcode
Reading, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a prebiotic?

A prebiotic is a special type of fibre that helps the good bacteria in your gut grow and thrive. It's like food for them!

What does 'double-blind' mean?

It means that neither you, your child, nor the study doctors will know if your child is getting the actual prebiotic powder or the dummy powder until the study is over. This helps make the results fair.

Will my child have to visit a clinic?

No, all participation, including questionnaires and sample collection, is designed to be done at home or online, making it easier for families.

What if my child has a food allergy?

Unfortunately, children with food allergies or intolerances cannot take part in this study for their safety.

How do I know if my child doesn't get enough fibre?

The study team can help you understand typical fibre intake and whether your child meets the criteria of less than 10.4g/day (for 3-4 year olds) or 12.6g/day (for 4-5 year olds).

How to find out more

Piril Hepsomali, PhD

p.hepsomali@reading.ac.uk +44 118 378 5818 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.