title: Sensory processing disorder in children ages birth-3 years born prematurely: a systematic review.
abstract: This systematic review of multidisciplinary literature synthesizes evidence of the prevalence and patterns of sensory processing disorder (SPD) in children ages birth-3 yr born preterm. Forty-five articles including physiological, behavioral, temperament, and SPD research met the inclusion criteria and provided 295 findings related to SPD-130 (44%) positive (evidence of SPD) and 165 (56%) negative (no evidence of SPD). The majority of findings related to sensory modulation disorder (SMD; 43% positive). The most prevalent subcategory of SMD was sensory overresponsivity (82% of findings positive). Evidence of sensory underresponsivity and sensory-seeking SMD, sensory discrimination disorder, and sensory-based motor disorder was limited. This study supports the education of neonatologists, pediatricians, and caregivers about the symptoms and potential consequences of SPD and helps justify the need for follow-up screening for SPD in children ages birth-3 yr born preterm. Research using measures based on sensory processing theory is needed.
authors.affiliation: Anita Witt Mitchell, PhD, OTR, is Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Department, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis; amitchell@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Anita Witt
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Elizabeth M. Moore, MOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Signature Healthcare at St. Francis, Memphis, TN; At the time of the study, Elizabeth Moore, Emily Roberts, Kristen Hachtel, and Melissa Brown were Students, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Emily J. Roberts, MOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Regional One Health, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Kristen W. Hachtel, MOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, First Choice Speech and Occupational Therapy, Hernando, MS.
authors.forename: Kristen W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Hachtel
authors.affiliation: Melissa S. Brown, MOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Methodist Healthcare South Hospital, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Melissa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Brown