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Sensory processing patterns of young adults with preterm birth history
Ayla Günal1, Serkan Pekçetin2, Çiğdem Öksüz3
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Turkey.
Insights
Young adults born preterm often exhibit atypical sensory processing, including differences in sensitivity, sensation avoiding, low registration, and sensation seeking. These findings highlight the need for sensory evaluations in this population.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Preterm birth can impact neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Sensory processing differences are increasingly recognized in various populations.
- Understanding long-term effects of preterm birth on sensory function is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate sensory processing abilities in young adults with a history of preterm birth.
- To identify factors influencing sensory processing in this cohort.
- To compare sensory profiles of preterm individuals with normative data.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 37 young adults with preterm birth history was recruited.
- Sociodemographic data were collected.
- Sensory processing was assessed using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile.
- Participant data were compared against established normative samples.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of participants displayed atypical scores across sensory sensitivity, sensation avoiding, low registration, and sensation seeking quadrants.
- Mode of birth (vaginal vs. caesarean) showed statistically significant differences in low registration and sensation avoiding quadrants.
- No significant sex-based or gestational age-based differences were found in the sensory profiles.
Conclusions:
- Young adults with a history of preterm birth demonstrate distinct sensory processing patterns compared to the general population.
- These findings underscore the importance of routine sensory processing evaluations for individuals with preterm birth history.
- Further research may explore the specific mechanisms underlying these sensory differences.
Purpose/Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the sensory processing abilities of young adults with a history of preterm birth and the factors affecting these abilities.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-seven young adults with preterm birth history were included. After recording their sociodemographic data, sensory processing functions were evaluated using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. The participants' data were compared to normative samples.
Results:
Mean score was 43.51 ± 8.29 for sensory sensitivity, 44.45 ± 9.19 for sensation avoiding, 33.43 ± 8.45 for low registration, and 47.97 ± 9.91 for sensation seeking. Compared to normative samples, 78% of participants in sensation avoiding quadrant, 62% of participants in sensory sensitivity quadrant, 40% of participants in low registration quadrant and sensation seeking quadrant had atypical scores. When sensory profile scores were analysed according to mode of birth, percentages of typical sensory sensitivity and sensation avoiding were low in both the normal vaginal and caesarean delivery subgroups. When analysed by gestational age at birth, ratios of abnormality in sensation avoiding were similar between individuals with very early, early, and late preterm delivery history. Statistically significant difference was found in low registration and sensation avoiding quadrants according to mode of birth (p < .05). There were no statistically significant sex-based and gestational age at birth differences in any of the four quadrants of the sensory profile in the preterm group (p > .05).
Conclusion:
These results showed that young adults with preterm birth history have differences in sensory processing compared to the general population and should be evaluated for sensory processing patterns.
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