Gut Bacteria and Sleep Problems, Especially in Children

A bidirectional relationship may exist between gut microbiota and sleep disturbances in children.

• The microbiota-gut-brain axis is believed to mediate the interaction between sleep and gut microbiota.
• Sleep, circadian rhythms, and gut microbiota are interdependent and crucial for neurodevelopment during infancy and childhood.
• Dimensions of sleep, such as duration, quality, timing, and regularity, are associated with gut microbial composition and function.
• Current evidence supporting these interactions primarily comes from adult or mixed-age cohorts, limiting conclusions for children.
• Methodological differences and a predominance of cross-sectional studies hinder causal inferences in this area.

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