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Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

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Exploring the microbial landscape of the nasopharynx in children: a systematic review of studies using next

Petra Zimmermann1,2,3,4

  • 1Department of Community Health, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.

Frontiers in Microbiomes
|March 19, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The nasopharyngeal microbiome in children is dynamic and linked to health outcomes. Specific microbial patterns, influenced by factors like birth mode and feeding, can indicate risks for respiratory infections and asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The nasopharynx hosts a dynamic microbial community crucial for respiratory health and immune development.
  • Understanding the pediatric nasopharyngeal microbiome is vital due to children's susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review studies on the pediatric nasopharyngeal microbiome.
  • To analyze microbiome dynamics, stability, and influencing factors in children.
  • To explore associations between the nasopharyngeal microbiome and adverse health outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of studies.
  • MEDLINE database search via OVID interface.
  • Inclusion of original studies using next-generation sequencing in children.

Main Results:

  • 77 studies were included from 736 identified.
  • The pediatric nasopharyngeal microbiome is dynamic and influenced by external factors.
  • Specific microbial profiles (e.g., high *Haemophilus*, *Moraxella*, *Streptococcus*; low *Corynebacterium*, *Dolosigranlum*) correlate with adverse outcomes like respiratory infections and asthma.

Conclusions:

  • Nasopharyngeal microbial profiles are associated with adverse health outcomes in children.
  • The microbiome can serve as a biomarker for disease risk identification.
  • Targeted interventions based on microbiome analysis offer preventive strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
16S rRNAasthmabronchiolitismicrobiomenasalotitis mediarespiratory tract infectionshotgun analysis

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