Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the sensory-processing patterns of preterm and term children at 6 years of age. The sensory profile (SP; W. Dunn, 1999) was used to evaluate sensory-processing patterns. We compared the section and factor SP scores of 118 preterm children with those of 158 term children at 6 years of age. Preterm children were significantly different from their term peers in all section and factor scores except the sedentary factor. Birth weight, gestational age, and days spent in the neonatal intensive care unit were correlated with sensory-processing issues. The sensory-processing abilities of preterm children should be evaluated at the age of 6 years and occupational therapy interventions should be implemented when necessary.