Dataset Information

The association of feeding difficulties and generic health-related quality of life among children born with esophageal atresia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Children born with esophageal atresia experience feeding difficulties. This study investigates the association of feeding difficulties and generic health-related quality of life among children aged 2-7 and 8-17 years, born with esophageal atresia.

Methods

108 families (n = 36 aged 2-7 years; n = 72 aged 8-17) answered a survey regarding difficulties in their child's mealtimes and a validated generic health-related quality of life instrument(PedsQL 4.0). Clinical data was collected from hospital records. The association of feeding difficulties and health-related quality of life was analysed trough Mann-Whitney U-test. Linear regression determined whether the number of concurrent feeding difficulties in the child decreased the health-related quality of life scores. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

In children aged 2-7 and 8-17 years, to have a gastrostomy, to use a food infusion pump, need for energy-enriched food and eating small portions were respectively significantly associated with lower total health-related quality of life scores in the parent-reports (p < 0.05). Most of the feeding difficulties had a negative significant relationship with the domains of physical and social functioning. Additionally, in the older age group, long mealtimes and adult mealtime supervision were associated with lower scores in both child and parent reports. In both age groups, an increased number of feeding difficulties in the child decreased the total generic health-related quality of life scores (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Specific feeding difficulties are associated with low health-related quality of life among children with esophageal atresia. An increasing number of feeding difficulties is associated to decreasing health-related quality of life-scores. Further research is needed to understand these associations.

SUBMITTER: Orno Ax S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10410866 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

The association of feeding difficulties and generic health-related quality of life among children born with esophageal atresia.

Örnö Ax Sofie S Dellenmark-Blom Michaela M Abrahamsson Kate K Jönsson Linus L Gatzinsky Vladimir V

Orphanet journal of rare diseases 20230809 1

<h4>Background</h4>Children born with esophageal atresia experience feeding difficulties. This study investigates the association of feeding difficulties and generic health-related quality of life among children aged 2-7 and 8-17 years, born with esophageal atresia.<h4>Methods</h4>108 families (n = 36 aged 2-7 years; n = 72 aged 8-17) answered a survey regarding difficulties in their child's mealtimes and a validated generic health-related quality of life instrument(PedsQL 4.0). Clinical data wa ...[more]

PMID: 37559149

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundIn 10-15% of children with esophageal atresia (EA) delayed reconstruction of esophageal atresia (DREA) is necessary due to long-gap EA and/or prematurity/low birth weight. They represent a patient subgroup with high risk of complications. We aimed to evaluate postoperative morbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a Swedish national cohort of children with DREA.MethodsPostoperative morbidity, age-specific generic HRQOL (PedsQL™ 4.0) and condition-specific HRQOL (The EA-QOL questionnaires) in children with DREA were compared with children with EA who had primary anastomosis (PA). Factors associated with the DREA group's HRQOL scores were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman's rho. Clinical data was extracted from the medical records. Significance level was p < 0.05.ResultsThirty-four out of 45 families of children with DREA were included and 30 returned the questionnaires(n = 8 children aged 2-7 years; n = 22 children aged 8-18 years). Compared to children with PA(42 children aged 2-7 years; 64 children aged 8-18 years), there were no significant differences in most early postoperative complications. At follow-up, symptom prevalence in children aged 2-7 with DREA ranged from 37.5% (heartburn) to 75% (cough). Further digestive and respiratory symptoms were present in ≥ 50%. In children aged 8-18, it ranged from 14.3% (vomiting) to 40.9% (cough), with other digestive and airway symptoms present in 19.0-27.3%. Except for chest tightness (2-7 years), there were no significant differences in symptom prevalence between children with DREA and PA, nor between their generic or condition-specific HRQOL scores (p > 0.05). More children with DREA underwent esophageal dilatations (both age groups), gastrostomy feeding (2-7 years), and antireflux treatment (8-18 years), p < 0.05. Days to hospital discharge after EA repair and a number of associated anomalies showed a strong negative correlation with HRQOL scores (2-7 years). Presence of cough, airway infection, swallowing difficulties and heartburn were associated with lower HRQOL scores (8-18 years), p < 0.05.ConclusionsAlthough children with DREA need more treatments, they are not a risk group for postoperative morbidity and impaired HRQOL compared with children with PA. However, those with a long initial hospital stay, several associated anomalies and digestive or respiratory symptoms risk worse HRQOL. This is important information for clinical practice, families and patient stakeholders.

Project description:BackgroundDespite surgical treatment, children with biliary atresia (BA) may face many problems which seriously affect their quality of life. However, there is a paucity of studies in China examining the quality of life of these children after BA treatment. This study investigated the current status of the quality of life of children after BA treatment and analyzed the influencing factors so as to provide a scientific basis for the development of targeted interventional measures.MethodsFrom May 1 to May 31, 2021, the STAR questionnaire method was used to conduct cross-sectional surveys in children following BA surgery in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China. The basic information questionnaire was used to investigate the general characteristics of the children. The children were also given quality of life questionnaires during follow-up sessions after surgical treatment for BA. In addition, a 12-point health survey was used to assess the physical and mental health of the children's caregivers. Age- and gender-matched healthy children were recruited as controls. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression equations were established to explore the influencing factors of the quality of life of children after surgery for BA.ResultsAfter surgery, children with BA experienced significantly lower physical health, emotional function, social function, cognitive function, and quality of life compared to healthy children (P<0.050). Co-existing diseases had a statistically significant impact on the quality of life of children with BA (b=-12.566; t=-2.343; P=0.021), and the caregiver's understanding level of liver transplantation also had a statistically significant impact on the quality of life of these children (b=6.481; t=2.376; P=0.021).ConclusionsThe quality of life of children after BA surgery was significantly lower than that of age-matched healthy children. Co-existing diseases and the caregiver's understanding level of liver transplantation were the main factors affecting the quality of life of these children.

Project description:BackgroundChildren with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) risk living with aerodigestive morbidity and mental health difficulties. No previous study has investigated their experiences of schooling, despite the importance of schools in children's development, learning and social relationships. We aimed to describe experiences of schooling in children with LGEA in Sweden in comparison with children with EA who had primary anastomosis.MethodChildren with LGEA aged 3-17 were recruited nationwide in Sweden. One parent completed a survey on their child's school-based supports (according to definitions from the Swedish National Agency for Education), school absence, school satisfaction, school functioning (PedsQL 4.0), mental health (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) and current symptomatology. School data were compared between 26 children with LGEA to that from 95 children with EA who had PA, a hypothesized milder affected group. Mental health level was determined using validated norms; abnormal ≥ 90 percentile. Data were analyzed using descriptives, correlation and Mann-Whitney-U test. Significance level was p < 0.05.ResultsFormal school-based support was reported in 17 (65.4%) children with LGEA and concerned support with nutritional intake (60%), education (50%) and medical/special health needs (35%). The prevalence of school-based support was significantly higher compared to children with PA overall (36.8%, p = 0.013) and regarding nutritional intake support (20%, p < 0.001). In children with LGEA, school-based support was related to low birth weight (p = 0.036), young child age (p = 0.014), height ≤ -2SD for age/sex (p = 0.024) and an increased number of aerodigestive symptoms (p < 0.05). All children with LGEA who had abnormal mental health scores had school-based support, except for one child. Nine children with LGEA (36%) had school absence ≥ 1times/month the past year, more frequently because of colds/airway infections (p = 0.045) and GI-specific problems compared to PA (p = 0.003). School functioning scores were not significantly different from children with PA (p = 0.34) but correlated negatively with school-based support (< 0.001) and school absence (p = 0.002). One parent out of 26 reported their child's school satisfaction as "not good".ConclusionsChildren with LGEA commonly receive school-based support, reflecting multifaceted daily needs and disease severity. School absence is frequent and related to poorer school functioning. Future research focusing on academic achievement in children with EA is needed.

Dataset Information

The association of feeding difficulties and generic health-related quality of life among children born with esophageal atresia.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

The association of feeding difficulties and generic health-related quality of life among children born with esophageal atresia.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets