A recent study found significant differences in gut microbiome composition between children with early and late bedtimes.
Researchers analyzed fecal samples from 88 healthy children aged 2-14 years in Northwest China, equally split between those with bedtimes before 9:30 PM and after, according to a study published in Scientific Reports.
The study found beta diversity was statistically significant at the genus level between groups, while alpha diversity measures, including Simpson's index and Shannon's index, were higher in early sleepers at the genus level. Akkermansia muciniphila was significantly more abundant in the early sleep group, and early sleepers showed improved sleep efficiency and better overall sleep quality.
The study revealed a higher abundance of Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Firmicutes phyla in the early sleep group. At the genus level, Akkermansia, Streptococcus, Alistipes, and Eubacterium were more prevalent in early sleepers as well.
Specific species differences included elevated levels of Holdemania filiformis, Firmicutes bacterium CAG_95, Streptococcus sp. A12, Weissella confusa, Clostridium sp. CAG_253, Alistipes finegoldii, and Eubacterium siraeum in early sleepers.
The researchers also observed differences in metabolic pathways between the groups. Pathways with significant increases in early sleepers included aerobic breakdown of toluene I through o-cresol, aerobic breakdown of toluene II through 4-methylcatechol, superpathway of threonine metabolism, second pathway for L-lysine biosynthesis, TCA cycle with incomplete reduction, second pathway for L-ornithine biosynthesis, and initial step in formaldehyde oxidation.
The study had several limitations, including a small sample size, lack of rural participants, and parent-reported sleep data. The authors suggested future research should include larger, more diverse populations and incorporate metabolomic assessments.
The authors declared no competing interests.