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The sensory profile of children with asthma
Batya Engel-Yeger1, Meital Almog2, Aharon Kessel2
1Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Insights
Children with asthma often experience sensory processing disorders (SPD), particularly sensory hypersensitivity. Early evaluation and treatment of SPD in asthmatic children are recommended.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Sensory Processing Research
Background:
- Sensory hypersensitivity is a key feature of sensory processing disorders (SPD).
- SPD involves difficulties in regulating responses to sensory input.
- Asthma is a common chronic condition in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sensory processing profile in children with asthma.
- To compare sensory processing in children with and without asthma.
- To identify potential links between asthma and SPD.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 86 children aged 4-11 years (37 with asthma, 49 controls).
- Parental completion of the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) to assess sensory responses.
- Statistical analysis to compare sensory processing between groups.
Main Results:
- Children with asthma showed a higher prevalence of SPD (p=0.001).
- Hypersensitivity was the predominant sensory issue in asthmatic children.
- Abnormal sensory performance was reported in 25.7% of asthmatic children versus 0% of controls (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Children with asthma may have undiagnosed sensory processing disorders.
- Findings suggest central nervous system involvement in atopic conditions like asthma.
- Routine evaluation of sensory profiles in children with asthma is warranted.
Aim:
Sensory hypersensitivity is one expression of sensory processing disorders (SPD) and results from the inability to regulate an appropriate response to a sensory input in an adaptive manner. We explored the sensory processing profile of children with asthma, based on reports from parents.
Methods:
We studied 86 children between the ages of four and 11 years: 37 diagnosed with asthma and 49 healthy controls. The parents of all participants filled out the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) that measures the child's behavioural reactions to sensory stimuli in daily environments.
Results:
Sensory processing disorders were more prevalent among children with asthma (F7,71 = 4.16, p = 0.001; ή(2) = 0.29) than among healthy controls and were mainly reflected by hypersensitivity. While about 90% of the healthy children were reported to actively seek sensory stimuli, only 53% of the asthmatic children showed this trend. In the study group, 25.7% of the children's scores reflected abnormal sensory performance, compared with 0% of the controls (χ(2) =21.93; p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Children with asthma may suffer from SPD. Our finding supports previous reports that suggest that the central nervous system is involved in the pathogenesis of atopic conditions. The sensory profile of children with asthma should be evaluated and treated as required.
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