Integrating psychological support in the care of children and adolescents with anorectal malformation or Hirschsprung disease: a ten-year experience.

PURPOSE: Anorectal malformations (ARM) and Hirschsprung disease (HD) pose challenges not only in diagnosis and treatment but also in the psychological well-being of patients and their families. This study aims to report our single-center experience with psychological follow-up in these populations.

METHODS

We conducted an observational, retrospective study by reviewing the clinical records of patients enrolled in our dedicated follow-up program who were born between 2009 and 2018. Neurodevelopmental assessments were performed during the first year of life, and psychological evaluations were conducted during childhood (ages 6-10) and adolescence (ages 13-18).

RESULTS

The study included 167 patients (101 with ARM, 66 with HD). A total of 120 patients underwent neurodevelopmental assessment at a median age of 11 months, yielding the following results (mean ± SD): cognitive: 105.4 ± 10.8; motor: 96.3 ± 9.5; language: 97.3 ± 9.2. Psychological follow-up was conducted in 139 children and 26 adolescents, with 35.3% of children and 38.5% of adolescents exhibiting psychopathological symptoms primarily of anxiety, depression, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Although early neurodevelopmental outcomes are generally within typical limits, a significant proportion of children and adolescents with ARM and HD demonstrate psychological vulnerabilities. These findings underscore the importance of early identification and continued psychological support throughout development.