Study Finds Unique Gut Bacteria Patterns in Children with Crohn's Disease

NYU researchers uncover microbial signature that differs from other gastrointestinal conditions

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study from NYU researchers has found significant differences in the gut microbiome composition of children with Crohn's disease compared to those with other gastrointestinal disorders. The study, published in the journal Physiological Reports, reveals that Crohn's patients have less microbial diversity and higher levels of pro-inflammatory bacteria, as well as lower levels of protective bacteria. The findings suggest gut microbiome analysis could be a useful tool for diagnosing and managing Crohn's disease in pediatric patients.

Why it matters

The study provides important insights into the role of the gut microbiome in the development and progression of Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder that has seen rising rates of pediatric diagnoses in recent years. Understanding the unique microbial signature associated with Crohn's could lead to the development of microbiome-targeted treatments and improved personalized management strategies for young patients.

The details

Researchers examined the gut microbiomes of 43 children newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease and 139 children with other functional gastrointestinal disorders. They found that the Crohn's patients had less microbial diversity and were enriched in bacteria that promote inflammation, such as Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria, while being depleted in more favorable bacteria like Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia. The study also revealed that children with more severe Crohn's disease had even lower microbial diversity and higher levels of pro-inflammatory bacteria like Hungatella and Veillonella, as well as lower levels of protective Lachnospiraceae.

  • The study was published on February 13, 2026.

The players

Deepak Saxena

Professor of molecular pathobiology and director of research innovation and entrepreneurship at NYU College of Dentistry, and senior author of the study.

Ryan Zanganeh

Dental student at NYU College of Dentistry and study author, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 12.

Leonardo Trasande

The Jim G. Hendrick, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and senior author of the study.

NYU College of Dentistry

The institution where the research was conducted.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine

The medical school affiliated with NYU where some of the study authors are based.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Microbes that colonize the gastrointestinal tract provide support for digestion and other functions to keep us healthy. But when there is a disturbance, this microbiome changes, which can cause inflammation.”

— Deepak Saxena, Professor of molecular pathobiology and director of research innovation and entrepreneurship at NYU College of Dentistry (Mirage News)

“Our study underscores the potential of fecal microbiome profiling as an effective tool for understanding Crohn's disease pathogenesis, identifying microbial biomarkers, and predicting disease activity for treatment response. This, in turn, can help to improve personalized treatment and management strategies in pediatric Crohn's disease.”

— Ryan Zanganeh, Dental student at NYU College of Dentistry (Mirage News)

“Microbiome-targeted treatment and management strategies may improve clinical outcomes in pediatric Crohn's disease. For instance, developing therapeutic probiotics or using antimicrobial treatments against specific pathogens could help to improve an altered microbiome and reduce inflammation.”

— Deepak Saxena, Professor of molecular pathobiology and director of research innovation and entrepreneurship at NYU College of Dentistry (Mirage News)

“The microbiome both metabolizes chemical contaminants and is susceptible to them, and synthetic chemicals are known to disrupt immune processes that may predispose individuals to Crohn's. We will need to incorporate these multiple facets in future studies.”

— Leonardo Trasande, The Jim G. Hendrick, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers are continuing to study the microbiome in Crohn's disease and the role of different environmental factors that may contribute to the development and progression of the condition.

The takeaway

This study highlights the potential of gut microbiome analysis to improve the diagnosis, management, and personalized treatment of Crohn's disease in children, a chronic condition that has seen rising rates of pediatric cases in recent years. The unique microbial signature associated with Crohn's offers promising avenues for developing microbiome-targeted therapies to restore gut health and reduce inflammation.