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Gut microbiota composition in children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a pilot study

Francesco Valentini1, Melania Evangelisti2, Marta Arpinelli1

  • 1Pediatric Unit Sant'Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy.

Sleep Medicine
|November 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) have reduced gut microbial diversity and increased inflammation-related gut bacteria. These changes correlate with sleep parameters, suggesting a link between OSAS, gut health, and intermittent hypoxia.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Pediatric sleep medicine
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a systemic inflammatory condition linked to intermittent hypoxia.
  • Hypoxia can compromise intestinal barrier integrity and alter gut microbiota, as seen in adults and animal models.
  • Limited research exists on pediatric OSAS-related gut dysbiosis, with only one study on snoring children and their microbiota.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess gut microbiota composition in children with OSAS compared to healthy controls.
  • To investigate the association between sleep parameters and gut microbiome alterations in pediatric OSAS.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 16 children was divided into OSAS and healthy groups.
  • Stool samples were analyzed for gut microbiota composition using 16S rRNA sequencing.
  • OSAS children underwent nocturnal pulse oximetry and polysomnography.

Main Results:

  • OSAS children exhibited significantly lower microbial diversity (species richness, Chao1 index) than healthy children (p=0.01).
  • The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio positively correlated with the Sleep Clinical Record (p=0.03).
  • Abundances of inflammation-related bacteria (Proteobacteria, Clostridiaceae, Oscillospiraceae, Klebsiella) and gut barrier bacteria (Desulfovibrionaceae, Bacteroides fragilis, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) were significantly altered and correlated with sleep parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric OSAS is associated with reduced gut microbiota diversity and an increase in bacteria linked to inflammation and gut barrier disruption.
  • Intermittent hypoxia in OSAS may drive these gut microbiome changes.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of gut microbiota in pediatric OSAS pathophysiology and associated comorbidities.
Abstract

Keywords:
Gut microbiotaIntermittent hypoxiaLeaky gutPaediatric obstructive sleep apnoeaSleep disordered breathingSystemic inflammation

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