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Background: Children born with esophageal atresia experience feeding difficulties. This study investigates the association of feeding difficulties and generic health-related quality of life among children aged 2-7 and 8-17 years, born with esophageal atresia. Methods 108 families (n=36 aged 2-7 years; n=72 aged 8-17) answered questions about difficulties in their child’s mealtimes and a validated generic health-related quality of life instrument(PedsQL 4.0). Clinical data was collected from hospital records. The association of feeding difficulties and health-related quality of life was analysed trough Mann-Whitney U-test. Linear regression determined whether the number of concurrent feeding difficulties in the child decreased the health-related quality of life scores. PResults: In children aged 2-7 and 8-17 years, to have a gastrostomy, to use a food infusion pump, need for energy-enriched food and eating small portions were respectively significantly associated with lower total health-related quality of life scores in the parent-reports (pConclusion: Parent-reported feeding difficulties are associated with low health-related quality of life among children with esophageal atresia. A high number of feeding difficulties is associated to lower health-related quality of life. Further research is needed to understand these associations. |
