Impact of Prematurity and Maternal Bonding on Sensory Processing at 12 Months

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study examined the relationship between sensory processing skills, mother-infant bonding, and prematurity in 12-month-old infants. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-two preterm infants with gestational age < 34 weeks and 20 term infants were included in the study. At four months, mothers evaluated their bonding with infants using the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). At the age of 12 months, the sensory processing skills of infants were assessed using the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI). <b>Results</b>: MIBS scores were significantly higher in the preterm group compared to the term group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). TSFI total scores and subdomains (tactile deep pressure, adaptive motor function, and vestibular stimulation) were significantly lower in preterm infants (<i>p</i> = 0.01, <i>p</i> = 0.02, <i>p</i> = 0.01, and <i>p</i> = 0.03, respectively). Multiple linear regression revealed that each one-point increase in bonding score (weaker bonding) was associated with a -0.65 decrease in the TSFI total score, a -0.61 decrease in tactile deep pressure, and a -0.63 decrease in vestibular stimulation scores, independent of gestational age. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study concluded that mother-to-infant bonding is associated with sensory processing skills, especially in the vestibular and tactile domains. Additionally, prematurity was found to be related to sensory processing.