A RECENT study, presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress 2025, has revealed that children with atopic asthma may be at greater risk of sensory processing disorder (SPD), suggesting a deeper neurodevelopmental link between respiratory and sensory challenges.
SPD involves difficulties in interpreting and responding to sensory information, affecting daily functioning and behaviour. Although commonly associated with conditions such as autism and ADHD, this study explored the lesser-known potential relationship between SPD and asthma.
The study analysed data from 91 children with asthma and 91 healthy controls, all aged between 5 and 12, who visited a hospital between July and December 2024. Using the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) scale, researchers assessed several sensory domains including vision, hearing, touch, body awareness, balance, and social participation. The two groups were matched for age and gender, and statistical analyses were conducted using established software tools.
Children with asthma showed significantly different sensory profiles in nearly all domains compared to their healthy peers. Notably, the only domain where no difference was found was taste and smell. The data indicated that sensory difficulties were widespread, affecting areas such as balance, body awareness, and social participation. However, asthma severity did not appear to influence the extent of these sensory processing differences.
Binary logistic regression analysis supported the finding that children with asthma are more likely to exhibit symptoms of SPD, with elevated risk across most domains assessed. These findings suggest that the chronic inflammation seen in asthma may influence neurological development or function in a way that increases susceptibility to SPD.
Researchers propose that the epithelial barrier theory, which posits shared vulnerabilities in protective barriers across organs such as the skin, lungs, and gut, may explain this overlap. This points to the existence of a neurophenotype of asthma, where sensory and respiratory symptoms may arise from shared underlying mechanisms. Further studies are needed to explore this connection and guide future interventions.
Reference
Uzunoğlu B et al. Can sensory processing disorder be a comorbidity of allergic asthma in children?. Abstract 001416. EAACI Congress, 13-16 June, 2025.
