Assessing quality of life in pediatric gastroschisis patients using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory survey: An institutional study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to quantify quality of life (QOL) outcomes in gastroschisis children using a validated QOL inventory survey.

METHODS: A chart review and prospective survey (2012 Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™)) were performed for gastroschisis patients from 2005 to 2011. Demographics and scores were compared between patents with simple versus complicated gastroschisis and patients with and without bowel resection.

RESULTS: One hundred nineteen patients (>2years of age) were identified. Twenty-eight families participated in the prospective survey with an average patient age of 5.8±2.3years. There were 11 complicated and 17 simple cases. Children with simple gastroschisis had lower rates of reoperation (0.06% versus 90%, p<0.001) and bowel resection (12% and 64%, p=0.004) than complicated patients. Average QOL scores for children with simple and complicated gastroschisis were 81.69/100±19.50 and 78.7/100±20.14 (p=0.70), respectively. Scores were also similar in children with and without bowel resection (74.72/100±19.94 and 83.29/100±19.10, p=0.171). Cronbach's alpha correlation was 0.912 for the overall survey.

DISCUSSION: Despite increased need for reoperation and bowel resection, at >2years of age, PedsQL™ scores were similar between patients with simple and complicated gastroschisis. This study provides preliminary data on QOL outcomes for antenatal counseling of gastroschisis families.