Parent reported long-term quality of life outcomes in children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

Jill L. Morsberger, Heather L. Short, Katherine J. Baxter, Curtis Travers, Matthew S. Clifton, Megan M. Durham, Mehul V. Raval*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine long-term outcomes for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients including quality of life (QoL), symptom burden, reoperation rates, and health status. Methods: A chart review and phone QoL survey were performed for patients who underwent CDH repair between 2007 and 2014 at a tertiary free-standing children's hospital. Comprehensive outcomes were collected including subsequent operations and health status. Associations with QoL were tested using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Of 102 CDH patients identified, 46 (45.1%) patient guardians agreed to participate with mean patient age of 5.8 (SD, 2.2) years at time of follow-up. Median PedsQL TM and PedsQL TM Gastrointestinal scores were 91.8 (IQR, 84.8–95.8) and 95.8 (IQR, 93.0–98.2), out of 100. Thoracoscopic repair was associated with higher PedsQL TM scores while defects with an intrathoracic stomach were associated with increased gas and bloating. No difference in QoL was found when comparing defect side, patch vs primary repair, prenatal diagnosis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or recurrence. Older age weakly correlated with worse school functioning and heartburn. Conclusion: Children with CDH have reassuring QoL scores. Given the correlation between older age and poor school function, longer follow-up of patients with CDH may be warranted. Level of Evidence: III (Retrospective comparative study).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)645-650
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of pediatric surgery
Volume54
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2019

Funding

MVR is supported in part by the Emory + Children’s Pediatric Research Alliance . MVR is supported in part by the Emory + Children's Pediatric Research Alliance.

Keywords

  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • Long term outcomes
  • Quality of life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Parent reported long-term quality of life outcomes in children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this