The sensory profile of children with asthma

Batya Engel-Yeger, Meital Almog, Aharon Kessel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aim Sensory hypersensitivity is one expression of sensory processing disorders (SPD) and results from the inability to regulate an appropriate response to a sensory input in an adaptive manner. We explored the sensory processing profile of children with asthma, based on reports from parents. Methods We studied 86 children between the ages of four and 11 years: 37 diagnosed with asthma and 49 healthy controls. The parents of all participants filled out the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) that measures the child's behavioural reactions to sensory stimuli in daily environments. Results Sensory processing disorders were more prevalent among children with asthma (F7,71 = 4.16, p = 0.001; Greek small letter eta with tonos2 = 0.29) than among healthy controls and were mainly reflected by hypersensitivity. While about 90% of the healthy children were reported to actively seek sensory stimuli, only 53% of the asthmatic children showed this trend. In the study group, 25.7% of the children's scores reflected abnormal sensory performance, compared with 0% of the controls (χ2=21.93; p < 0.001). Conclusion Children with asthma may suffer from SPD. Our finding supports previous reports that suggest that the central nervous system is involved in the pathogenesis of atopic conditions. The sensory profile of children with asthma should be evaluated and treated as required.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e490-e494
JournalActa Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
Volume103
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

  • Asthma
  • Sensory hypersensitivity
  • Short Sensory Profile

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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