Screening of sensory integration dysfunction in low birth weight and preterm infants: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Sensory processing disorders are one among the many complications of low birth weight and prematurity as multisensory integration is not adequately processed in them to provide appropriate responses to the demands of the environment. Early detection and screening of sensory integration dysfunction is one of the necessities for better developmental outcomes in preterm and low birth weight infants. Objective: To determine the prevalence of sensory integration dysfunction in low birth weight and preterm infants using short sensory profile. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 100 infants with prematurity and low birth weight between the age group of 0 and 1 year who were recruited from a tertiary care hospital. Short sensory profile was used to assess the sensory integration dysfunction in these infants. Short sensory profile consists of seven sections and in each section there is a minimum of 3-6 questions which have to be answered by the primary caregiver of infants. The scores were recorded and the infants were categorized into typical performance, probable differences from typical, or definite differences from typical in each section, using predetermined score cut-offs. Results: The mean age of infants was 6.14 ± 3.49 months, gestational age was 33.95 ± 1.63 weeks, and birth weight was 1.88 ± 0.35 kg. Depending upon total performance score, 26% infants were found to have a definite difference from typical, 52% infants had a probable difference from typical, and 22% scored normal on short sensory profile. There was a significant correlation of gestational age ( P = 0.0421) and birth weight ( P = 0.0151) with sensory integration dysfunction. Conclusion: The prevalence of sensory integration dysfunction was found to be 26% in preterm and low birth weight infants.