Behavioral insomnia (BI) and feeding difficulties (FD) are two prevalent conditions among young children. We have recently shown that feeding difficulties are more prevalent among children with BI and sleep problems are more frequent in children with FD. In addition, maternal cognitions about sleep and feeding are different in these two disorders compared with controls.
Objective: To investigate the sensory profile of children with BI and children with FD in comparison with healthy controls.
Methods: Children 7-36 months of age with either BI or FD were recruited. Children 7-36 months of age who attended the well-baby care clinics were recruited and served as controls. Sensory profile was assessed using the validated Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile questionnaire.
Results: Twenty-five children with BI, 28 with FD and 32 controls were recruited. No difference in child`s age and gender and in parental age and education level were found among the three groups. Significant differences in raw scores of oral processing section (24.2±3.2 vs. 27.2±4.0; p=0.0002) and in sensation avoiding and low threshold quadrants were found between the BI group compared to controls (48.4±7.0 vs. 52.6±5.0; p=0.001 and 89.6±13.2 vs. 97.8±9.6; p=0.001 respectively). Auditory processing and oral processing sections scores (37.2±3.3 vs. 39.3±2.8; p=0.028 and 20.8±3.8 vs. 27.2±4.0; p<0.0001) were found to be significantly different in the FD group compared with controls. Oral processing score was also different in the FD group compared with the BI group (20.8±3.8.vs. 24.2±3.2; p=0.005). Significant differences in low registration, sensory sensitivity, sensation avoiding and low threshold quadrants were found between the FD group compared to controls (low registration: 48.7±4.6 vs. 51.2±2.6; p=0.027, sensory sensitivity: 40.6±7.5 vs. 45.2±6.1; p=0.025, sensation avoiding: 45.5±6.4 vs. 52.6±5.0; p=0.001, low threshold: 87.1±11.8 vs. 97.8±9.6; p=0.001).
Conclusions: Considerable alterations in sensory profile were found in children with BI and FD. These alterations may contribute to the development of these two disorders.
