Child Gut Health Test 0-12 years
Child Gut Health Test 0-12 years
Safe, easy and mess-free gut health test for children, backed by world-leading research.
A detailed report on how bacteria impact your child's health and symptoms such as eczema, constipation, and colic.
Personalized, effective dietary and lifestyle recommendations with meal recipes to boost your child's gut health and relieve symptoms.
1:1 session with a certified kids' nutrition coach to review your child’s results and recommend simple, practical everyday changes.
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Developed by scientists from 🇸🇪 Karolinska, KTH and Uppsala University
WHY A TEST?
Give your child the best start – with the right food for a healthy gut.
In-depth understanding of the gut
Your child's gut health impacts metabolism, immune function, and brain health. Detecting imbalances early supports long-term wellbeing.
Create lasting health from within
Small diet and lifestyle changes now can make a big difference in the future. Build a strong foundation for your child’s gut health.
Explore ways to ease symptoms
Uncover potential links between your child’s gut health and symptoms like constipation, eczema, and colic – and how to address them.
Support after antibiotic treatment
We get a clear picture of your child's gut flora and help you boost it after the use of medication or antibiotics.
Add Medical Consultation
If needed, our licensed doctor can review your case and prescribe medication to address the root cause of the symptoms. This service (+2499 kr) can be added later if found necessary based on your child’s test results, symptoms, and completed questionnaire.
Hear from other parents
“Within a few weeks his eczema was completely cleared.”
"The great thing about Alba is that it’s based on science. You’re not guessing or relying on generic advice. The insights are personal, and the steps are easy to follow.
We started diversifying Timo’s meals more and added yogurt, berries, and fermented foods. Within a few weeks, his eczema disappeared. Eight months later, it still hasn’t come back.”
– Noemie, Timo’s mom
“His stomach has gotten so much better, and it’s improving all the time”
“What really drew me in with Alba was the idea that we didn’t just have to wait it out. We actually had the chance to do something to help him.
We’re now seeing fewer episodes of pain, and he’s so much happier. That’s been the biggest relief for me – just knowing he’s not in pain anymore.”
- Therese, parent of a child with constipation
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A SMOOTH PROCESS
From testing to insights
With Alba’s mess-free test kit, collecting and sending a stool sample is quick and effortless.
From the stool sample, we analyze the DNA of all gut microbes to identify exactly which bacteria are present. We analyze bacterial DNA only, not your child’s DNA.
Within three weeks, you’ll receive a detailed report on your child’s gut health, along with a personalized action plan covering diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes.
Have a 30-minute session with Alba’s certified kids' nutrition coach who will review your test results and provide simple, practical recommendations to improve your child’s gut health.
Paediatrician and Medical Advisor at Alba
MD, Karolinska Institutet
Dr. Erica Bonns
“We have conducted Sweden’s largest study on gut health, analyzing data from hundreds of families. Through this research, we have identified specific gut microbiome patterns that are linked to constipation in children.”
The science behind Alba
At Alba, science is at the core of everything we do. Our recommendations are based on cutting-edge research in child gut health.
Alba is led by the world’s leading experts in gut health
At Alba, we collaborate with leading pediatricians, gastroenterologists, nutritionists and researchers. Together, they have over 1,600 scientific publications. Alba’s co-founder, Professor Emeritus Willem M. de Vos, is one of the world’s foremost experts in the microbiome field.
Learn more about or scientific advisory board here.
University of Helsinki
We collaborate with HELMi, one of the world's largest studies
The HELMi Cohort, at the University of Helsinki, is a leading research initiative in child health. This groundbreaking study explores the connection between gut health, lifestyle, and overall wellbeing. To date, over 10,000 microbiome samples and 50,000 lifestyle data points have been analyzed.
Learn more about HELMi here.
Uppsala University
COPSAC
University of Antwerpen
We pioneer the largest study on child health in Sweden
The PREVENT Study is conducted in collaboration with Uppsala University, Universiteit Antwerpen, and COPSAC. The study involves over 300 families, providing us with a comprehensive database and valuable insights into how gut health influences children’s wellbeing.
Read more about our study here.
Don’t take our word for it
Many factors are associated to chronic disease
Scientists followed 4000 children for 10 years to understand factors associated to chronic diseases
Gut microbes affect lifelong health
The way the gut microbiome develops in the first 3 years of life shapes metabolism and immunity.
Antibiotics, birth mode and diet change the microbiome
Scientists have identified factors that might alter the gut microbiome composition in the first years of life.
Colic is associated to the gut microbiome
Gut microbes in the first weeks of life might predict and explain whether the child develops colic.
Asthma is associated to the gut microbiome
Scientists show how an immature microbiome at 1 year old is associated to higher risk of asthma.
The gut microbiome is linked to BMI
A study shows that gut microbes in the first two years of life is associated with BMI at age 12.
Probiotics restore the microbiome after C-section and antibiotics
A randomized controlled trial shows its possible to restore the gut after C-section and antibiotics
Mom’s diet shapes the composition of breast milk
Scientists show that what a mother eats affects breast milk, which in turn shapes the baby’s microbiome
Get to know the experts
Dr. Erica Bonn
Paediatrician and Medical Advisor at Alba
Dr. Erica Bonns is a pediatrician based in Stockholm with a strong interest in improving healthcare accessibility. She is a board member at several digital health companies and startups in Sweden, working to bring healthcare closer to citizens.
Johanna Holtz
Certified Nutrition & Health Coach
Johanna Holtz is a gut health expert dedicated to helping individuals achieve lasting well-being. With a holistic approach, she guides children, teens, and adults through personalized testing, supplements, and lifestyle changes to restore balance and vitality.
Amanda Ahlberg
Certified Nutritionist from Karolinska
Amanda is a trained nutritionist from Karolinska Institutet. She has deep knowledge of and has practiced how diet can be a powerful tool for healing and how to optimize nutrition. Amanda has a strong interest in gut microbiota function and autoimmune diseases and works with clients in these areas.
Michelle Henning
Certified Nutrition & Health Coach
Michelle is a Certified Parent Coach and Certified Nutrition & Health coach. She is also an author of the book "Grow Healthy Babies: The Evidence-Based Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy and Reducing Your Child’s Risk of Asthma, Eczema, and Allergies" (2021). Michelle's book reviewed over 660 studies on the subject.
Natascia Angius
Certified Nutrition & Health Coach
Natascia Angius is a Certified Nutrition & Health Coach with expertise in diet, lifestyle, and gut microbiome health. She helps individuals achieve balance and well-being through personalized nutrition and holistic guidance. Get hands-on advice to overcome your obstacles and implement your action plan.
Dr. Elise Indekeu
Doctor specialized in Functional Medicine (Sweden)
Dr. Elise Indekeu, is a Swedish board-certified doctor specializing in functional medicine and nutrition. As a mom of two with extensive experience in functional medicine, Dr. Elise can help further investigate the root cause of your child’s symptoms.
FAQ
We are inhabited by 39 trillions of microorganisms that live on our skin, mouth, genitals, respiratory tract and gut. They are bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites and they are essential for our health - in fact, we couldn’t survive without them! The gut microbiome is the collection of all of our microbes in the gut, and their DNA. It has a fundamental role in digestion, immune system health and brain health. Imbalances in the gut microbiome have been associated with most chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, asthma, celiac disease and even cancer.
References: Ghosh, T.S., Shanahan, F. & O’Toole, P.W. The gut microbiome as a modulator of healthy ageing. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol (2022); Vijay, A., Valdes, A.M. Role of the gut microbiome in chronic diseases: a narrative review. Eur J Clin Nutr 76, 489–501 (2022).
From a stool sample, we are able to collect the DNA of all gut microbes. From their DNA we can tell exactly which bacteria are present and what they are doing in your gut. We analyze bacterial DNA only, and we do not analyze your own DNA.
In children, it depends on the age. The baby's microbiome is constantly evolving from birth to adulthood, so monitoring its trajectory and development over time is even more informative than looking at only one snapshot.
From one microbiome test, you will discover:
- Levels of friendly bacteria, promoting healthy development
- Levels of unfriendly bacteria, as some types of bacteria are known to be unfriendly when in large share, being able to cause infections and inhibit friendly bacteria
- Gut microbiome diversity, which is associated to health and wellbeing
- Associations with constipation, from our clinical study in Sweden
- Levels of bacteria promoting immune system development and associated to lower risk of allergy and eczema
- Levels of bacteria promoting metabolic health and associated to healthy weight
- Levels of bacteria promoting brain health and cognition
- Most importantly, you will receive a set of personalized recommendations covering diet, environmental exposure, behavior and probiotic supplements (if needed) reviewed by our medical experts and discussed with you in a 1:1 consultation with a certified Nutrition & Health Coach. You will also receive 3 simple example recipes that promote optimal gut health.
References: Stewart CJ, Ajami NJ, O'Brien JL, Hutchinson DS, Smith DP, Wong MC, Ross MC, Lloyd RE, Doddapaneni H, Metcalf GA, Muzny D, Gibbs RA, Vatanen T, Huttenhower C, Xavier RJ, Rewers M, Hagopian W, Toppari J, Ziegler AG, She JX, Akolkar B, Lernmark A, Hyoty H, Vehik K, Krischer JP, Petrosino JF. Temporal development of the gut microbiome in early childhood from the TEDDY study. Nature (2018);
Alba is for children from 0 to 12 years old. For newborns, the plan includes personalized recommendations for breastfeeding mothers and information on how your baby formula of choice (if any) affects your child's gut health.
With Alba's convenient test kit, collecting the stool sample takes only 2 minutes. You’ll receive everything you need from us to complete the test, and once you're done, simply return it in a prepaid envelope.
You will receive your results within three weeks at the latest after sending the sample to us.
Alba Health is founded on world-leading research in children's gut health. We run Sweden's largest study in this field in collaboration with Uppsala University and based on over 15 years of research by Prof. Willem de Vos, a leading scientist with over 800 publications in this field. We also have a research collaboration with the HELMi cohort at the University of Helsinki, one of the world's largest studies in the area. Our experts in medicine, nutrition, and research have collectively published over 1,600 scientific articles.
Alba Health uses research-grade gut microbiome testing (deep shotgun metagenomics) performed in a certified laboratory. Data is stored according to GDPR and as approved by The Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Etikprovningsmyndigheten).
It depends on your individual situation and your most recent results. We provide personalized recommendations and support, and part of our service is to guide you in making the most informed decision for your family’s health.
Each time you test with us, you’ll receive a personal consultation with a certified nutrition and health coach who will recommend the best path forward.
We ship to all locations specified at the bottom of our webpage, and in the checkout.
Alba Health does not provide medical diagnoses. We offer detailed insights into your child's gut microbiome along with an action plan with strategies to boost their gut health
Your sample data is stored in the European Union according to GDPR
. Your name and address will be separated from the rest of your submitted data, so that it cannot be tracked to you. Your sample data will not be transferred outside of the European Union and is stored securely. Read our
More questions?
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