BACTERIAL-COLONIZATION OF THE LARYNX AND TRACHEA IN HEALTHY-CHILDREN

Fifty healthy children were included in the study; tracheal and laryng eal aspirations were performed after oral endotracheal intubation duri ng minor surgery. The aspirates were evaluated and examined in the sam e way as aspirates from children suspected of pneumonia; 31 samples we re accepted for the final analysis. After culturing, specimens from 30 children exhibited growth of potential pathogenic bacteria either fro m the larynx, the trachea or both. Prior to culture, bacteria were see n by microscopy in 24 samples from 30 children. These results indicate that the majority of healthy children carry potential pathogenic bact eria, not only in the larynx but also to a certain extent in the trach ea. We conclude that aspirates from the larynx and the trachea are of limited value in the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia in children.