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

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to quantify quality of life (QOL) outcomes in gastroschisis children using a validated QOL inventory survey.MethodsA 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.ResultsOne hundred nineteen patients (> 2 years of age) were identified. Twenty-eight families participated in the prospective survey with an average patient age of 5.8 ± 2.3 years. 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.DiscussionDespite increased need for reoperation and bowel resection, at > 2 years 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.