Hydrogen Water FMT Improves Autism Symptoms in Children Study Shows

Authors
Journal
Frontiers in Pediatrics
Year
DOI
10.3389/fped.2026.1767346
Study Type
Human
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
Japan
Health Condition
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Body System
Neurological

TL;DR

Hydrogen nanobubble–based fecal microbiota transplantation improved autism-related symptoms and gut health in a small single-arm clinical study, with no reported adverse events.

Key Finding

Children with autism spectrum disorder who received fecal microbiota transplantation in hydrogen nanobubble water showed a 29% improvement in social responsiveness scores that was sustained one year later, with 19 of 30 children improving from severe to mild or normal symptom levels.

Summary

This study tested a new treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 30 children aged 5-12 years. The treatment involved giving children a fecal microbiota transplant (a transfer of healthy gut bacteria from a donor) suspended in hydrogen nanobubble water (water containing tiny hydrogen bubbles) through an enema, without using antibiotics or bowel cleansing. After 30 weeks, children showed a 29% improvement in social responsiveness scores, and 19 of the most severely affected children improved to mild or normal levels. The treatment also reduced sensory, digestive, and emotional symptoms, with no serious side effects reported.

Practical Takeaway

While this early-stage study suggests hydrogen nanobubble water may help deliver fecal microbiota transplants safely in children with ASD, it is a small, single-arm trial without a comparison group, making it difficult to determine how much benefit comes from the hydrogen water itself versus the transplant alone. Much larger, controlled studies would be needed before this approach could be recommended as a standard treatment. Parents should consult healthcare providers before considering any experimental microbiota-based therapies.

Abstract

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising in prevalence, but effective treatments for its core symptoms remain limited. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown promise; however, conventional methods often require antibiotics and bowel cleansing, raising concerns regarding safety and sustainability. We developed a novel FMT method using hydrogen nanobubble water and investigated its efficacy and safety.MethodsThis prospective, single-arm, before-and-after comparative study enrolled 30 children aged 5-12 years with ASD, selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. SHIN-1, a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-grade prepared fecal microbial solution from a healthy screened donor, was suspended in hydrogen nanobubble water and administered via enema. Primary outcome was the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2), with objectivity confirmed using Gazefinder as an eye-tracking system. Secondary outcomes included sensory profile [Short Sensory Profile (SSP)], gastrointestinal symptoms [Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale [GSRS], Bristol Stool Form Scale [BSFS]] and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 items (PHQ-4). Statistical analyses employed paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (α = 0.05).ResultsAt 30 weeks, fecal microbiota reconstitution was observed, with increases in short-chain fatty acid-producing and typically taxa abundant in developing children. SRS-2 scores decreased 29% (p ConclusionThis novel hydrogen nanobubble water-based FMT method was safe and effective, reducing both core and peripheral symptoms of ASD and suggesting broad benefits via the gut microbiota-brain axis.Clinical Trial Registration: https://jrct.mhlw.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCTs031230041.