Table 1.

Age-related factors to consider when undergoing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI).

	Pediatric	Young Adult/Middle Age	Elderly
Efficacy	80 – 90%	80 – 90%	<80%
Safety	Lower rates of adverse events. Theoretical long-term concerns of early manipulation of the gut microbiota.	Theoretical long-term concerns of manipulation of the gut microbiota. Higher rates of co-existing inflammatory bowel disease with rCDI.	Higher rates of adverse events, especially procedural complications. May have pill dysphagia, limiting use of capsule formulations. Higher rates of co-existing microscopic colitis with rCDI.
Innovation	Need innovative approaches to administration as there are challenges to capsule and enema administration. Need to consider pediatric subjects in innovative trials for emerging live bacterial products (LBPs).	Most common age group included in LBP clinical trials.	Need to consider elderly subjects in innovative trials for emerging LBPs.