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Dellenmark-Blom M, Ax SÖ, Lilja HE, Reilly C, Svensson JF, Kassa AM, Jönsson L, Abrahamsson K, Gatzinsky V, Omling E, Tollne A, Stenström P, Öst E. Prevalence of Mental Health Problems, Associated Factors, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Long-Gap Esophageal Atresia in Sweden. J Pediatr Surg 2023; 58:1646-1655. [PMID: 36635161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) face a high risk of digestive and respiratory morbidity, but their mental health outcomes have not been investigated. We aimed to identify the prevalence of mental health problems in children with LGEA, associated factors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS Twenty-six children with LGEA aged 3-17 were recruited nationwide in Sweden. One of their parents and adolescents aged 11-17 completed information on the child's mental health (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire), generic (PedsQL 4.0) and condition-specific HRQOL (EA-QOL). Parents gave information on current child symptomatology. Mental health level was determined using validated norms; abnormal≥90 percentile/borderline≥80 percentile/normal. Elevated levels were considered borderline/abnormal. Data were analyzed using descriptives, correlation and Mann-Whitney-U test. Significance level was p < 0.05. RESULTS Twelve children with LGEA aged 3-17 (46%) had elevated scores of ≥1 mental health domain in parent-reports, whereas 2 adolescents (15%) in self-reports. In parent-reports, 31% of the children had elevated levels of peer relationship problems, with associated factors being child sex male (p = 0.037), airway infections (p = 0.002) and disturbed night sleep (p = 0.025). Similarly, 31% showed elevated levels of hyperactivity/inattention, and associated factors were male sex (p = 0.005), asthma (p = 0.028) and disturbed night sleep (p = 0.036). Elevated levels of emotional symptoms, seen in 20%, were related to swallowing difficulties (p = 0.038) and vomiting problems (p = 0.045). Mental health problems correlated negatively with many HRQOL domains (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with LGEA risk mental health difficulties according to parent-reports, especially peer relationship problems and hyperactivity/inattention, with main risk factors being male sex, airway problems and sleep disturbances. This should be considered in follow-up care and research, particularly since their mental health problems may impair HRQOL. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE Prognosis study, LEVEL II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Dellenmark-Blom
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Sofie Örnö Ax
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helene Engstrand Lilja
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Colin Reilly
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jan F Svensson
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ann-Marie Kassa
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Linus Jönsson
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kate Abrahamsson
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Gatzinsky
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Erik Omling
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - AnnaMaria Tollne
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Stenström
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Elin Öst
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Dellenmark-Blom M, Reilly C, Öst E, Örnö Ax S, Svensson JF, Kassa AM, Jönsson L, Abrahamsson K, Gatzinsky V, Tollne AM, Omling E, Stenström P, Engstrand Lilja H. Schooling experiences in children with long-gap esophageal atresia compared with children with esophageal atresia and primary anastomosis: a Swedish study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:233. [PMID: 37550744 PMCID: PMC10408199 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02846-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children 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. METHOD Children 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. RESULTS Formal 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". CONCLUSIONS Children 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dellenmark-Blom
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg University, 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - C Reilly
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg University, 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - E Öst
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Örnö Ax
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg University, 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - J F Svensson
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A-M Kassa
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - L Jönsson
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg University, 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - K Abrahamsson
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg University, 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - V Gatzinsky
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg University, 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A M Tollne
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - E Omling
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Skane University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - P Stenström
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Skane University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - H Engstrand Lilja
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Factors of family impact in a Swedish-German cohort of children born with esophageal atresia. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:207. [PMID: 35597964 PMCID: PMC9123694 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02361-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background After repair of esophageal atresia (EA), childhood survivors commonly present with digestive and respiratory morbidity, and around 55% have associated anomalies. Although it is known that these problems can reduce health-related quality of life in children with EA, less is understood about the impact on the family. We aimed to identify factors related to family impact in children with EA. Methods One parent each of a child with EA (2–18 years) in 180 families from Sweden and Germany answered the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module as the dependent variable. The independent variables were the child’s parent-reported health-related quality of life as measured by PedsQL™ 4.0, current symptoms, school situation, and parent/family characteristics together with child clinical data from the medical records. Results Stepwise multivariable regression analysis showed a multifactorial model of the total family impact scores (R2 = 0.60), with independent factors being the child’s overall generic health-related quality of life, school-absence ≥ 1/month, severe tracheomalacia, a family receiving carer’s allowance, and a parent with no university/college education, p < 0.05. Logistic regression analysis showed that an increased number of symptoms in the child the preceding 4 weeks lowered the family impact scores; however, the child’s feeding (R2 = 0.35) and digestive symptoms (R2 = 0.25) explained more in the variation of scores than the child’s respiratory symptoms (R2 = 0.09), p < 0.0001. Conclusions Family functioning may be a contributing factor to the maintenance of child health. The study findings suggest multifactorial explanations to family impact in children with EA, which are essential when optimizing the support to these families in clinical and psychosocial practice. Future research should explore experiences of family impact from all family members’ perspectives and multicenter studies are warranted to understand better the effectiveness of psychosocial-educational interventions to families of children with EA.
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