Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is a rare and progressive liver disease, and currently there is no effective medical treatment.

Dr Fraser Wallace is a Paediatric Gastroenterology Fellow at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Melbourne. He is supported by the Dr Arnold Smith Scholarship through Liver Foundation to investigate whether dietary changes can improve liver function in children with PSC.

His study is exploring the use of Exclusive Enteral Nutrition (EEN) — a specialised liquid diet — to see if it can alter the gut microbiome in a way that reduces inflammation and protects the liver.

This early research will examine whether this approach is suitable for children with PSC and whether it can shift the bacteria in the gut to positively influence disease progression.

If successful, the findings could help pave the way for larger clinical trials and offer a safe, non-invasive treatment option for children living with PSC — something that does not currently exist.

This work could ultimately help slow disease progression and reduce the need for liver transplantation in children affected by this condition.

The Arnold Smith Scholarship will enable Fraser to dedicate time during his clinical training to advance this study into this rare but important liver condition.