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Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of potentially pathogenic bacteria (especially Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis) in healthy 1-7 years old children and risk factors affecting it. Methods: A total of four hundred forty-five healthy children (1-7 years old) from the European side of Istanbul (10 different units) were included in this cross-sectional study. Isolated microorganisms were identified by standard laboratory methods and the results were evaluated. Risk factors affecting the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage were also evaluated. Results: In the study, 139 (31.2%) of the samples were positive. S. pneumoniae two (0.4%), H. influenzae 50 (11.2%); of them type b 10 (2.2%), H. parainfluenzae 10 (2.2%), M. catarrhalis 14 (3.1%), S. aureus 35 (7.9%), Group A β hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) 13 (2.9%), Group B streptococci (S. agalactiae) 18 (4.0%), Non A Non B streptococci 16 (3.6%) were detected. The results obtained from different sites (places) were found to be variable in terms of pathogen density. Conclusion: Nasopharyngeal carriage rates found in our study were generally lower than in some studies on this subject. However, when the samples taken from different places were evaluated one by one, it was seen that the colonization rate reached 45.9% in crowded and poor building properties (small, poorly ventilated, unhealthy buildings). The highest rate of H. influenzae carriage in the 2-3 age group was 33.3%. In this study, crowded and unhealthy school environments and low maternal education level have been determined as risk factors for increased nasopharyngeal carriage rate. Results of such studies vary depending on the region, sample frequency, individual and social factors. Further studies are needed in order to achieve healthier results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]