Self-assessed physical health among children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this long-term follow-up study was to investigate the current self assessed physical health in a CDH birth cohort at a single center.

METHODS

Between 1990 and 2009, 195 children born with CDH were treated at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital. The primary survival rate was 85 %, and in 2010, 78 % were still alive. Data from medical records were supplemented by a questionnaire consisting of questions about perceived physical function. Patients were divided into groups according to time for intubation and need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

RESULTS

Children born with CDH reported themselves to be having greater problems with asthma, developmental delay, seizure disorder, poor vision, and scoliosis in comparison with normal Swedish children. They also described a sense of having less strength and becoming breathless more often than healthy friends. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and abdominal pain were also reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of the children perceived their physical health as being overall good, but there was an increase of reported symptoms correlating with the severity of the malformation.