title: Atypical sensory processing is common in extremely low gestational age children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atypical sensory processing is common in children born extremely prematurely. We investigated sensory processing abilities in extremely low gestational age (ELGA) children and analysed associated neonatal risk factors, neuroanatomical findings and neurodevelopmental outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a prospective study of 44 ELGA children, including 42 who had undergone brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term-equivalent age, when they were 2 years of corrected age. Their sensory processing abilities were assessed with the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile questionnaire and their neurodevelopmental with a structured Hempel neurological examination, Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Third Edition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensory profiles were definitely or probably atypical (<-1 SD) in half of the ELGA children, and the most common behavioural pattern was low registration (23%). Sensation seeking was associated with abnormalities in grey and/or white matter in the brain MRI (p < 0.01). Atypical oral sensory processing was associated with surgical closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (p = 0.02, adjusted p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atypical sensory processing in ELGA children was common, and children with neonatal neuroanatomical lesions tended to present specific behavioural responses to sensory stimuli. Surgical closure of the patent ductus arteriosus may predispose infants to feeding problems due to atypical oral sensory processing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Petri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rahkonen
authors.forename: Aulikki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lano
authors.forename: Anu-Katriina
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Pesonen
authors.forename: Kati
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heinonen
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Räikkönen
authors.forename: Sampsa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanhatalo
authors.forename: Taina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Autti
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valanne
authors.forename: Sture
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Marjo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Metsäranta
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature; D008297:Male; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Neonate; Patent ductus arteriosus ligation; Preterm; Sensory processing