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To clarify the relationship between early infantile spontaneous movement of very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWIs) and sensory characteristics in childhood. Prospective cohort study. We investigated the association between the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R), a detailed assessment of general movements (GMs) at the corrected age of 9–17 weeks and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile Japanese version (ITSP-J) at the corrected age of 3 years. A multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the correlation of ITSP-J and MOS-R with patient clinical background factors. Fifty-three VLBWIs (median gestational age: 28 weeks, 6 days; median birth weight: 997 g) who were managed at the NICU of Oita University from September 2013 to June 2019. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the ITSP-J subscale in the sensory section of visual score was significantly correlated with the age-adequate movement repertoire subscore of MOS-R, and in the sensory section of vestibular score was correlated with the fidgety subscore of MOS-R. For both visual and vestibular section scores, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) showed an independent association with the MOS-R subscore. Spontaneous movement characteristics in early infancy were associated with sensory characteristics in early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory symptoms are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but the patterns of these symptoms vary. Early assessment of sensory processing is therefore crucial for diagnosis and early intervention. However, studies in this area are conducted almost exclusively in English-speaking populations. In our study, we examined sensory processing in 380 toddlers: 96 with ASD, 42 with other developmental disabilities (DD), and 242 typically developing (TD) controls. Caregivers completed a Polish version of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP). Results showed that children with ASD and those with DD were more hypo- and hypersensitive and showed more avoidance of stimulation than TD controls. Children with DD had less severe symptoms than those with ASD and showed higher levels of sensation seeking than the ASD and TD groups. Furthermore, we identified four sensory subtypes with different sensory thresholds and regulatory strategies. Two of them reflected healthy patterns of sensory processing: a healthy-active and a healthy-passive subtype. The third subtype was characterized by mild sensory symptoms. The fourth pattern was specific to toddlers with ASD and included severe sensory symptoms and avoidance of stimulation. The Polish ITSP may be a useful instrument in early diagnosis of ASD, as well as in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stepanka Beranova,1 Jan Stoklasa,2 Iva Dudova,1 Daniela Markova,3 Martina Kasparova,4 Jana Zemankova,5 Tomas Urbanek,6 Tomas Talasek,2 Pasi Luukka,7 Michal Hrdlicka1 1Department of Child Psychiatry, Charles University Second Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Prague, 2Department of Applied Economics, Faculty of Arts, Palacky University, Olomouc, 3Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Charles University First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Prague, 4Department of Pediatrics, Charles University Second Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Prague, 5Department of Pediatrics, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, 6Institute of Psychology, Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; 7Laboratory of Applied Mathematics, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the potential of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP) as a screening tool for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in prematurely born children.Methods: Parents of 157 children with birth weights

Background: Preterm children seem to be at increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods: Parents of 157 children with birth weights less than 1,500 g (age 2 years, corrected for prematurity; 88 boys, 69 girls) completed screening questionnaires. The screening battery included the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist (CSBS-DP-ITC), and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP). Children with disabilities were excluded. All children who screened positive on any of the screening tools were subsequently assessed by clinical examination including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Results: Fifty-six children (35.7%) screened positive on at least one of the parental screening questionnaires. Of the 56 children who tested positive, 33 participated in the detailed clinical follow-up assessment. A diagnosis of ASD was confirmed in 13 of the 33 children. The ASD prevalence was 9.7% of the sample. Analysis of children with and without an ASD diagnosis found significant differences relative to gestational age (26.9 weeks vs 28.3 weeks, P=0.033) and length of the stay in hospital (89.5 days vs 75.4 days, P=0.042). The screening tool with the most positive results was CSBS-DP-ITC (42 positive screens [PS]), followed by M-CHAT (28 PS), and ITSP (22 PS). Differences in the frequency of PS among the tests were significant (P=0.008). CSBS-DP-ITC had the highest sensitivity (0.846), followed by M-CHAT (0.692) and ITSP (0.462). Conclusion: Our results indicate a higher prevalence of autism in children with birth weights <1,500 g at 2 years of age compared to the general population prevalence. The ASD diagnosis was associated with shorter gestation times and longer hospital stays. Our findings support the simultaneous use of more than one screening tests in order to increase screening sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]