Description

Child Gut Health Test — Advanced Microbiome Analysis for Ages 3 to 18

Nationwide Shipping Available — At-Home Stool Collection Kit

Overview

The Child Gut Health Test offers comprehensive insights into the gut microbiome of children and adolescents aged 3 to 18. Using shotgun metagenomics, this test provides strain-level resolution of both beneficial (commensal) and potentially harmful (pathogenic) microbes, alongside detailed analysis of microbial functions related to digestion, immune regulation, and inflammation.

Why This Test Matters

Early gut health is critical for:

  • Supporting digestion and nutrient absorption
  • Developing a balanced immune system
  • Regulating inflammation and gut barrier function
  • Preventing and managing digestive symptoms and infections
  • Promoting overall wellness and growth during childhood and adolescence

This test is ideal for monitoring gut microbiome health, diagnosing dysbiosis, and guiding personalized interventions for better digestive and immune health in children.

Biomarkers Included

  • Microbial Diversity & Abundance:
  • Abundance Index, Shannon Diversity Index, Richness Index, Gut Type classification, F/B Ratio, P/B Ratio, Proteobacteria/Actinobacteria Ratio
  • Beneficial Bacteria:
  • Akkermansia spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Faecalibacterium spp., Blautia spp., Roseburia spp., Lacticaseibacillus paracasei & rhamnosus, Phocaeicola dorei, Ruminococcus spp.
  • Potential Pathogens & Opportunists:
  • Clostridium difficile, Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Cryptococcus, Blastocystis spp., Giardia, Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella spp., Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter spp., Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp.
  • Gut Function & Metabolites:
  • Butyrate, Acetate, Propionate (short-chain fatty acids for gut health), Hydrogen Sulfide Index, Hexa-LPS Index (inflammation marker), Mucus Degradation Index, Protein Breakdown, Host DNA (marker of gut epithelial damage)
  • Dietary Fiber & Prebiotic Utilization:
  • Cellulose, Chitin, Pectin, Resistant Starch, Fructooligosaccharides, Galactooligosaccharides, Isomaltooligosaccharides, Xylooligosaccharides
  • Vitamin Synthesis:
  • Microbial pathways for production of Vitamins B2, B7, B9, B12, and K2
  • Additional Markers:
  • Histamine Producers (linked to allergy/inflammation), HMO-Digesting Species (important for breastfed children), various fungal species (Malassezia, Microsporum, Trichophyton, Saprochaete, Saccharomyces)

Who Should Get Tested?

  • Children with ongoing digestive symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, bloating)
  • Those with skin conditions (eczema, rashes), allergies, or food sensitivities
  • Kids with recurrent infections or history of antibiotic use
  • Children born via C-section or formula-fed who may have altered microbiomes
  • Parents seeking to optimize their child’s gut health and immune development through personalized nutrition and lifestyle

Test Details

  • Sample Type: Stool (easy at-home collection with detailed instructions)
  • Shipping: Nationwide shipping available for kit delivery and sample return
  • Turnaround Time: Approximately 28 business days from sample receipt
  • Preparation: No special diet or fasting required