The analysis of gut microbiota characteristics in children with global developmental delay.

Alpha diversity was significantly reduced in children with GDD compared to healthy controls.

• Chao1 index showed a statistically significant reduction in microbial diversity in the GDD group (P = 0.007).
• The study included 26 children diagnosed with GDD and 59 healthy children of the same age as controls.
• Samples were collected and analyzed via high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

Beta diversity showed significant segregation between the GDD and healthy control groups.

• Beta diversity analysis revealed significant separation between groups (R² = 0.067, P = 0.001).
• This indicates distinct overall microbial community compositions between GDD and healthy children.
• Analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing from fecal samples.

At the phylum level, Actinobacteria abundance was significantly increased and Bacteroidetes abundance was significantly decreased in the GDD group.

• Relative abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly increased in the GDD group (P < 0.01).
• Abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in the GDD group (P < 0.05).
• These phylum-level differences were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples from 26 GDD children and 59 healthy controls.

At the genus level, Bifidobacterium, Fusicatenibacter, and Erysipelatoclostridium were significantly increased in the GDD group.

• The abundance of Bifidobacterium, Fusicatenibacter, and Erysipelatoclostridium were all significantly increased in the GDD group (all P < 0.001).
• These genera-level differences were detected via high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
• The increased abundance of Bifidobacterium is notable given its generally considered probiotic role, suggesting a complex dysbiosis pattern in GDD.

At the genus level, Faecalibacterium, Phascolarctobacterium, and Alistipes were significantly reduced in the GDD group.

• The abundance of Faecalibacterium, Phascolarctobacterium, and Alistipes were all significantly reduced in the GDD group (all P < 0.001).
• These genera are generally associated with short-chain fatty acid production and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Reductions were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal DNA extracted from study participants.

Functional prediction based on 16S rRNA data suggested potential differences in microbial metabolic pathways in the GDD group.

• Predicted functional differences included pathways related to mRNA surveillance, proteasome, and atrazine degradation in the GDD group.
• The authors note these findings 'hypothesize a functional shift in the gut microbiome associated with GDD, which requires validation by direct metagenomic or metabolomic methods.'
• Functional predictions were derived from 16S rRNA sequencing data rather than direct metagenomics or metabolomics.

The study was a prospective study conducted at a single hospital over a one-year period.

• Data were collected from January 2024 to December 2024 at Longgang District Maternal and Child HealthCare Hospital of Shenzhen City.
• 26 children diagnosed with GDD formed the disease group and 59 healthy age-matched children formed the healthy control (HC) group.
• General information was collected via questionnaire survey, and fecal samples were collected from all participants for DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.