Pekalongan — Staying up late may do more than cause fatigue and poor concentration. A new study from Pekalongan reveals that sleep deprivation can subtly alter the shape of red blood cells, potentially affecting their quality. The study was conducted by Lailatul Ikromah and Subur Wibowo from the Pekalongan Academy of Medical Laboratory Technology and published in 2026 in the International Journal of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research (IJSMR).
Late-night wakefulness, defined as staying awake past 11:00 PM, has become a common lifestyle among college students due to academic workloads, examinations, and organizational commitments. While many consider it harmless, the research shows that repeated sleep deprivation may disrupt circadian rhythms and impact the body’s natural restorative processes.
The study focused on erythrocytes, or red blood cells, which play a critical role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. According to the researchers, poor sleep can increase oxidative stress and interfere with erythrocyte production, potentially leading to subtle structural abnormalities.
The researchers examined 30 active students with habitual late-night sleeping patterns between December 2025 and April 2026. Blood smear samples were analyzed under a microscope to assess erythrocyte shape, color, size, and estimated cell count.
The results showed that most participants slept between two and eight hours per day, with late-night wakefulness occurring three to four times per week. While erythrocyte counts largely remained within the normal range, morphological changes were detected.
About 53.3 percent of participants displayed normocytic hypochromic erythrocytes, meaning their red blood cells maintained normal size but appeared paler than usual, suggesting lower hemoglobin concentration. Additionally, 66.7 percent showed mild poikilocytosis, a condition where red blood cells vary in abnormal shapes.
The most common abnormalities included echinocytes, elliptocytes, ovalocytes, and dacrocytes, with echinocytes being the most frequently observed. These changes are associated with oxidative stress, which may weaken erythrocyte membrane stability.
The study concludes that short-term sleep deprivation affects erythrocyte quality more quickly than erythrocyte quantity. Since red blood cells have a lifespan of around 120 days, their total count remains relatively stable in the short term, but structural changes can occur earlier.
For students, the findings serve as a reminder that sleep is not just about rest but also about maintaining essential physiological balance. Poor sleep habits could gradually affect oxygen transport efficiency, energy levels, and cognitive performance.
The researchers suggest future studies should investigate long-term sleep deprivation with larger sample sizes and additional blood parameters such as hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and oxidative stress markers.
The Pekalongan findings reinforce a growing body of evidence that healthy sleep is a key pillar of both physical and cognitive health, especially among young adults balancing academic pressures.
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