Congenital Esophageal Atresia-Surgical Treatment Results in the Context of Quality of Life.

INTRODUCTION:  Esophageal atresia (EA) is one of the most frequent congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the study was to assess surgical treatment results in the context of the quality of life (QoL) of children after correction of EA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:  The data were collected among 73 patients after surgery of EA. The work diagnostic survey method was applied using authors' own questionnaire and standardized questionnaire, the PedsQL 4.0 generic core scales. Analysis of children growth was done based on World Health Organization percentile charts for body height and weight. Medical background for each patient, including demographic data, type of EA, type of delivery, the age of gestation, associated anomalies, mode of repair-primary and subsequent, if applicable, was collected from clinical records. Additional anomalies were divided into cardiac, skeletal, respiratory, renal, central nervous system, and other malformations (VACTERL association, CHARGE syndrome, trisomy chromosomes 18 and 21, and others).

RESULTS:  In this study, 23% of children in the study group weighted below third percentile, 36% were born between 33rd and 37th week of gestation; 56% had at least one associated congenital anomalies. The QoL of children born before 37th week of gestational age was lower ( p  < 0.034) in social functioning than children born in term. The presence of concomitant anomalies does affect the overall generic QoL. No statistical correlation was found between the type of anomaly (with/without TEF) and patients' QoL.

CONCLUSION:  It seems to be needed to extend psychological care of premature infants with EA.