Children with congenital limb deficiency in Norway: issues related to school life and health-related quality of life. A cross-sectional study

Patient-reported function, quality of life and prosthesis wear in adults born with one hand: a national cohort study

We invited individuals aged above 16 years with a congenital transverse reduction deficiency at and above the wrist born in Norway between 1970 and 2006 to complete the short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure, the 5-Level EuroQoL-5-Dimension instrument, the RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and a single-item questionnaire on arm function, appearance, pain and prosthesis wear. Of 154 eligible participants, 58 (38%) responded. Their scores were not different from the general population. All had been offered prostheses, and 56 (97%) had been fitted at a median age of 1 year (interquartile range 0-2.8). Of the participants, 37 (64%) were still prosthesis wearers, while 21 (36%) were non-wearers or using gripping devices only. Prosthesis wearers had higher levels of 'vitality' as assessed by the RAND-36 and rated their arm appearance higher, but there were no other score differences, indicating that prosthesis rejection is not associated with worse functional outcomes.Level of evidence: III.

Functional Outcomes and Health-Related Quality of Life of Adults With Congenital Below-Elbow Amputation in North America

PURPOSE

Congenital below-elbow amputation (BEA) is a common upper-extremity anomaly and generally encompasses 2 diagnoses, symbrachydactyly and transverse deficiency. Little is known about the physical, mental, and social well-being of adults with congenital BEA. A deeper understanding of longitudinal outcomes within this population may help guide family conversations and counseling for patients with congenital BEA.

METHODS

The Shriners Hospitals for Children Health Outcomes Network was queried to identify all patients currently >18 years of age who had been seen as a child between 1975 and 2019 for congenital BEA at 1 of 20 Shriners Hospitals across North America. A unique health survey examining physical functioning, mental health, social outcomes, and health-related quality of life was constructed and sent by mail or in electronic form to eligible patients.

RESULTS

A total of 64 questionnaires were completed. Patients ranged between 18 and 34 years of age, and 70% were female. Nearly two-thirds of patients (64%) reported that a prosthesis was not required and only 14% reported daily prosthetic use. Although respondents reported below-average Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) upper-extremity scores, there were no differences in Short-Form 12 or Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores relative to the US general population. Study participants had lower PROMIS Pain Intensity and higher PROMIS satisfaction with social roles and activities scores than the US general population, translating to clinically meaningful differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Although adults with congenital BEA report lower upper-extremity functional scores than the general population, they report no clear differences from normative values in self-efficacy, psychosocial well-being, health-related quality of life, or global life satisfaction.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic IV.

Clinical outcomes measurement in pediatric lower limb prosthetics: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify clinical measures that have been used to evaluate function, health related quality of life (HRQoL), and/or satisfaction in children who use lower limb prostheses (LLP). The data reported on psychometric properties for children who use LLP were collected for each measure.

METHODS

First, PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were searched using broad search terms to identify standardized outcome measures of function, HRQoL, and/or satisfaction with treatment used in pediatric LLP research published in 2001 or after. For each of the eligible measures found, a second search was performed to identify psychometric properties (e.g., validity, reliability) assessed with children who use LLP.

RESULTS

Forty-four standardized outcome measures were identified from 41 pediatric LLP research articles. Five measures (i.e., Gait Outcomes Assessment for Lower Limb Differences, Functional Mobility Assessment, Child Amputee Prosthetics Project- Prosthesis Satisfaction Inventory, Child Amputee Prosthetics Project- Functional Scale Index, and Lower Limb Function Questionnaire) had data on psychometric properties for children who use LLP.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies report psychometric data for assessing the overall HRQoL, function, and/or satisfaction for children who use LLP. Further research is needed to validate or create new outcome measures that assess the HRQoL, satisfaction, and/or function of children who use LLP.

Adolescents with congenital limb reduction deficiency: Perceptions of treatment during childhood and its meaning for their current and future situation

BACKGROUND

Children with congenital limb reduction deficiency live with the decisions made by their parents and healthcare professionals about treatments to be carried out during the first years of life. To understand better the meaning of treatment during childhood, it is necessary to listen to adolescents who have had this experience. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of adolescents with congenital limb reduction deficiency concerning the treatment they received during childhood and what it meant to them currently and in the future.

METHODS

A descriptive design with a qualitative approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 adolescents (six girls and four boys) with upper and/or lower limb reduction deficiency, median age 17.5 years (range 16-19). The interview data were analysed using a phenomenographic approach.

RESULTS

The treatment received during childhood had contributed to shaping the adolescents, as shown in the emerging description categories Creating opportunities, Choosing one's own path and Belonging in a context. Their current situation fell into three categories: A continuous journey, indicating that they still used the skills learned during childhood; Leaving the door open, indicating that they were not currently using the skills learned during childhood, but felt that there could be opportunities ahead; and Closing a chapter, indicating that they had stopped using their prosthesis or assistive devices and no longer needed those skills. Further, the adolescents' thoughts about the future are portrayed in the categories Uncertainty about the future and Confidence about the future.

CONCLUSIONS

An understanding of the meaning of treatment received during childhood may help improve the delivery of treatment and continued support to meet the needs of children with congenital limb reduction deficiency in the short and long term.

A review of upper limb pediatric prostheses and perspectives on future advancements

Many complex factors affect whether a child with a congenital upper limb deficiency will wear a prosthetic limb. Ultimately, for a child to wear and use their prosthesis, it must facilitate the effective performance of daily tasks and promote healthy social interactions. Although numerous pediatric devices are available, most provide a single open-close grasp (if a grasping function is available at all) and often offer nonanthropomorphic appearances, falling short of meeting these criteria. In this narrative review, we provide a critical assessment of the state of upper limb prostheses for children. We summarize literature using quality of life measures and categorize driving factors affecting prosthesis use into two main groupings: psychosocial and physical functioning. We define psychosocial functioning as factors related to social inclusion/exclusion, emotional function, independence, and school functioning. Physical functioning is defined as factors associated with the physical use of a prosthesis. The reviewed literature suggests that psychosocial domains of quality of life may be influenced by a congenital limb deficiency, and currently available prostheses provide little benefit in the physical functioning domains. Finally, we discuss technological advancements in adult prostheses that have yet to be leveraged for pediatric devices, including describing recently developed adult electric hands that may improve physical functioning through multiple grasping configurations and provide more hand-like cosmesis. We outline actions necessary to translate similar technologies for children and discuss further strategies to begin removing barriers to pediatric device adoption.

Caring for Children With Congenital Upper Extremity Differences

The purpose of this article is to provide information about the changing landscapes in research, treatment, civil rights' protection, disability awareness, and accepted terminology in the care of children with congenital upper limb differences. This knowledge can guide clinical and nonclinical conversations between patients and their families.

Maternal periconceptional folic acid supplements use and fetus risk for limb defects

BACKGROUND

Associations between the periconceptional folic acid only (FAO) or multiple micronutrients containing folic acid (MMFA) supplementation and risk for limb defects are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between periconceptional folic acid supplements use and risk for limb defects, including clubfoot, polydactyly, syndactyly, and limb deficiencies.

METHODS

Data were derived from a cohort based on a pregnancy registry in a district of Beijing, China, from 2013 to 2018. Information on maternal periconceptional FAO and MMFA supplementation was collected via face-to-face interviews at first trimester. Pregnancy outcomes including limb defects were ascertained in livebirths, stillbirths, and elective pregnancy terminations and were recorded into the system. Propensity score methods were used to adjust for potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 63 969 women with a singleton delivery were included. The overall prevalence of limb defects was 47.5 per 10 000 (n = 63 969) singleton deliveries. Decreased prevalence of limb defects was found among FAO/MMFA users compared with women who did not take supplements (nonusers) (46.1 vs. 61.9 per 10 000 births, adjusted risk ratio [RR] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56, 1.12). Compared with nonusers (n = 6462, 10.2%), women who took either FAO (n = 26 567, 42.0%) or MMFA (n = 30 259, 47.8%) had a lower risk for total clubfoot (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20, 0.84), and for isolated clubfoot (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17, 0.97). For other limb defects except clubfoot, FAO supplementation did not appear to be associated with reduced risk, while MMFA supplementation group had 30%-50% reduced risks for other limb defects. A lower risk for limb defects or isolated limb defects was found with MMFA supplementation when FAO supplementation was used as a control.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal periconceptional supplements with either FAO or MMFA had inverse association with clubfoot in offspring, and MMFA was associated with lower risk for isolated limb defects compared with FAO.

A systematic review of the use of psychological assessment tools in congenital upper limb anomaly management

STUDY DESIGN

This study is a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION

Congenital upper limb anomalies (CULAs) are often associated with psychosocial difficulties including negative body image, low self-esteem, and withdrawal from social activities.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the study was to identify, describe, and evaluate all published psychosocial assessment tools used in the assessment and management of CULAs, to direct the use of these tools in clinical practice, and to identify areas requiring development.

METHODS

A systematic search of Medline, EMBASE, Pubmed, and PsychInfo databases was performed. In total, 23 studies were included for analysis. Data extracted included study and population characteristics, psychosocial measures utilized, psychosocial outcomes reported, and the reliability and validity of measures.

RESULTS

Seventeen patient-reported measures were identified. The most commonly used tool was a Likert scale (n =7) with satisfaction with appearance and function, the most commonly evaluated outcome (n = 18). Other evaluated domains included quality of life or psychosocial functioning (n = 9), self-image (n = 2), and psychological well-being (n = 5).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

There is no well-established, validated assessment tool in regular use to effectively address psychosocial outcomes for children with CULAs. Although the majority of children born with a CULA appear to adjust well, this is by no means the case for all children. There is a need for routine psychosocial evaluation preoperatively and postoperatively with long-term follow-up data to help direct patient-orientated management. A clear understanding of these, and how to measure them, is needed to help for a patient-centred, multidisciplinary, evidence-driven approach to CULA management.

What matters to children with lower limb deformities: an international qualitative study guiding the development of a new patient-reported outcome measure

BACKGROUND

Lower limb deformities include conditions such as leg length discrepancy, lower limb deficiency and associated angular and rotational deformities of the hips, knees, ankles and feet. Children with lower limb deformities often have physical limitations due to gait irregularities and pain. The differences in the appearance and function of their lower limbs can discourage participation in social, recreational and leisure activities, which may result in behavioural, emotional, psychological and social adjustment problems. The health-related quality of life (HRQL) of these children is often impacted due to the factors discussed above, as well as by the complex surgical procedures. Surgical treatment options for limb deformities in children vary from limb lengthening and reconstruction to amputation. The lack of evidence demonstrating superiority of either treatment options and their effect on HRQL limits the ability of healthcare providers to counsel families on the best evidence-based treatment option for them. This manuscript describes the international qualitative study which guided the development of a new patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). Individual semi-structured face-to-face interviews with children with lower limb deformities and their parents were conducted at five sites: Canada (2 sites), Ethiopia, India and the USA.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine interviews were conducted at five international sites. Five main themes emerged from the qualitative interviews and formed the basis of the conceptual framework. These themes were: 1) appearance, 2) physical health, 3) psychological health 4) school and 5) social health.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower limb deformities have a substantial impact on the HRQL of children. The concepts of interest identified in our study were similar across children from all countries. The conceptual framework guided the development of outcome scales specific to these patients. The information about the impact of various treatment options on the HRQL of children with lower limb deformities, collected using this new PROM, could be used to inform parents and children about outcomes (physical, social, psychological) associated with specific treatment options. This information could supplement other objective outcome information (e.g., complication rates, how the leg will look, etc.) to help families to come to a more informed decision on a child's course of treatment.