Gut Microbiota and Sleep Disorders with a Special Focus on the Pediatric Population
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and sleep disturbances in children, with the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) mediating this interaction. Sleep, circadian rhythms, and the gut microbiota form an interdependent and developmentally dynamic network that plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment during infancy and childhood. Although the mechanisms underlying this complex interaction have not yet been fully elucidated, emerging evidence suggests that multiple dimensions of sleep-including duration, quality, timing, and regularity-are closely associated with gut microbial composition and function. These findings support the rationale for nutritional and microbiota-targeted interventions during critical developmental windows. However, most mechanistic and taxonomic evidence derives from adult or mixed-age cohorts, while methodological heterogeneity, geographic bias, and the predominance of cross-sectional studies limit causal inference. This review provides an overview of the recent literature investigating the role of the gut microbiota in sleep and sleep disorders in children and summarizes potential microbiota-based therapeutic strategies.
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