title: Sensory processing in preterm preschoolers and its association with executive function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Symptoms of abnormal sensory processing have been related to preterm birth, but have not yet been studied specifically in preterm preschoolers. The degree of association between sensory processing and other domains is important for understanding the role of sensory processing symptoms in the development of preterm children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test two related hypotheses: (1) preterm preschoolers have more sensory processing symptoms than full term preschoolers and (2) sensory processing is associated with both executive function and adaptive function in preterm preschoolers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preterm children (≤34weeks of gestation; n=54) and full term controls (≥37weeks of gestation; n=73) ages 3-5years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sensory processing was assessed with the Short Sensory Profile. Executive function was assessed with (1) parent ratings on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Preschool version and (2) a performance-based battery of tasks. Adaptive function was assessed with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preterm preschoolers showed significantly more sensory symptoms than full term controls. A higher percentage of preterm than full term preschoolers had elevated numbers of sensory symptoms (37% vs. 12%). Sensory symptoms in preterm preschoolers were associated with scores on executive function measures, but were not significantly associated with adaptive function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm preschoolers exhibited more sensory symptoms than full term controls. Preterm preschoolers with elevated numbers of sensory symptoms also showed executive function impairment. Future research should further examine whether sensory processing and executive function should be considered independent or overlapping constructs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States.
authors.forename: Jenna N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States.
authors.forename: Heidi M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States.
authors.forename: Lynne C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Huffman
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, United States. Electronic address: iloe@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Irene M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Loe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012677:Sensation
keywords: Adaptive function; Executive function; Preterm birth; Sensory processing