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Disease-specific Quality of Life As Part of the Long-term Follow-up for Children Born with Esophageal Atresia in an Academic Unit in South Africa-a Pilot Study

Overview
Journal Dis Esophagus
Specialty Gastroenterology
Date 2024 Mar 13
PMID 38476012
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Abstract

As neonatal mortality rates have decreased in esophageal atresia (EA), there is a growing focus on quality of life (QoL) in these children. No study from Africa has reported on this topic. This pilot study aimed to describe disease-specific QoL in EA children and its applicability as part of long-term follow-up in an academic facility in South Africa. Disease-specific QoL in children born with EA was assessed utilizing the EA-QoL questionnaire for children aged 2-17 years during a patient-encounter. The parent-report for children aged 2-7 years compromised 17 items categorized into three domains: eating, physical health and treatment, and social isolation/stress. The 24-item EA-QL questionnaire for children aged 8-18 (child- and parent-report) explored four domains: eating, body perception, social relationships, and health and well-being. A total of 13 questionnaires for children aged 2-7 years were completed by five parents. A negative perceived impact on their child's eating was reported by 46-92% of parents, and less impact in the other two domains. A total of 27 questionnaires were completed by eight children aged 8-17 years and 10 parents. Similar percentages children and parents reported a negative impact in the eating, social relationships, and body perception domains. More than half reported a negative impact on the child's health and well-being. This study supports the concept that assessment of disease-specific QoL should play a vital role in the comprehensive follow-up approach for children born with EA. We identified that parents of younger children were more likely to report eating disorders, whereas parents of older children were more likely to report health difficulties with different perceptions when it came to the child's scar.

Citing Articles

An International Collaborative Initiative to Establish a Quality-of-Life Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents with Repair of Esophageal Atresia in 14 Countries.

The International Ea-Qol Group Children (Basel). 2024; 11(3).

PMID: 38539321 PMC: 10968779. DOI: 10.3390/children11030286.

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