Early-life digital media exposure tied to atypical sensory processing outcomes, behavioral problems: JAMA

In the cohort study, the researchers revealed that early-life video or television exposure was associated with atypical sensory processing in low registration, sensory sensitivity, sensation seeking, and sensation-avoiding domains of the Infant-Toddler Sensory Profile, after controlling for demographic and perinatal variables; results differed by age at exposure.

Previous studies have suggested that high early-life digital media exposure could directly impact neurodevelopment and displace other developmentally important sensory and motor experiences.

Sensory processing abilities refer to integrating information received from the body’s sensory systems (eg visual, tactile, auditory, vestibular, and oral sensory) to form efficient and appropriate behavioural responses. Poor sensory processing may affect children's well-being or daily functioning. Substantial evidence suggests a relationship between atypical sensory findings and developmental disability, specifically among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and developmental coordination disorder.

Atypical sensory processing is challenging for children and families, yet the understanding of its associated risk factors is limited. To fill this knowledge gap, Karen Frankel Heffler, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and colleagues aimed to determine the association between early-life digital media exposure and sensory processing outcomes among toddlers.

For this purpose, the researchers used data that were analyzed from the National Children’s Study (NCS), a cohort study of environmental influences on child health and development. The study included children enrolled in the NCS at birth whose caregivers completed reports of digital media exposure and sensory processing. A total of 1471 children (50% male) were included.

They observed data on children’s viewing of video or television at 12 months (yes or no), 18 months, and 24 months of age (hours per day).

The main outcome was sensory processing reported at approximately 33 months of age on the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile. Quadrant scores (sensation seeking, low registration, sensation avoiding, and sensory sensitivity) were categorized into groups representing typical, high, and low sensory-related behaviours, and multinomial regression analyses were performed.

The study led to the following findings:

• Screen exposure at 12 months of age was associated with a 2-fold increased odds of being in the high category of low registration (odds ratio [OR], 2.05), while the odds of being in the low category instead of the typical category decreased for sensation seeking (OR, 0.55), sensation avoiding (OR, 0.69), and low registration (OR, 0.64).
• At 18 months of age, greater screen exposure was associated with an increased risk of high sensation avoidance (OR, 1.23) and low registration (OR, 1.23).
• At 24 months of age, greater screen exposure was associated with an increased risk of high sensation seeking (OR, 1.20), sensation avoiding (OR, 1.21), and sensory sensitivity (OR, 1.25).

"The findings show that greater early-life digital media exposures may be associated with atypical sensory processing," the researchers wrote.

"There is a need for further research to understand the relationship between screen time and specific sensory-related behavioural and developmental outcomes, and whether minimizing early-life exposure can improve subsequent sensory-related outcomes," they concluded.

Reference:

Heffler KF, Acharya B, Subedi K, Bennett DS. Early-Life Digital Media Experiences and Development of Atypical Sensory Processing. JAMA Pediatr. Published online January 08, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.5923