OBJECTIVETo explore risk factors and protective factors of sensory integrative dysfunction (SID) among preschool and school children in Beijing, and to identify potential risk factors of SID.

METHODSThree hundred and ten kindergarten children were investigated twice in 1993 and 1999 by "The Child Sensory Integration Check List" and "General Information Questionnaire". A nested case-control study was carried out by single variable and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis to find out the risk factors of SID.

RESULTSIn the SID incidence group, the risk factors of SID were edema during pregnancy (OR = 7.06), paternal age (OR = 1.28), suffering from diseases before 3 years old (OR = 1.13), while the protective factor was family support network during school age (OR = 0.54). In the SID self-recovery group, the risk factors of SID were suspected attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among maternal cousins (OR = 3.02), social ethos (OR = 1.69), consistency of parental discipline (OR = 1.45), while the protective factors were living condition and environment for entertainment (OR = 0.37), parental care during school age. In the SID negative group, the risk factors of SID were maternal contracted pelvis (OR = 3.45), less chance in enjoying audio and video entertainment during school age (OR = 1.98), suspected ADHD among paternal cousins (OR = 1.89), consistency of parental discipline (OR = 1.75), suspected ADHD among maternal cousins (OR = 1.48), paternal occupation during school age (OR = 1.19), while the protective factors were family support network (OR = 0.56) and maternal educational background (OR = 0.38) during preschool age.

CONCLUSIONOur data showed that the risk factors of child SID were mainly associated with biological and genetic factors. Psychosocial factors seemed to be the secondary risk factors of SID.