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Validation of the Baylor Continence Scale in children with anorectal malformations
Mary L Brandt1, Carolyn Daigneau, Edward A Graviss
1Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. brandt@bcm.edu
Insights
The Baylor Continence Scale (BCS) effectively measures social continence in children with anorectal malformations (ARMs). This validated tool aids in assessing the impact of ARM repair on children and their families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Urology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Anorectal malformations (ARMs) frequently lead to long-term defecation issues.
- No validated scoring systems currently exist for assessing fecal incontinence in children post-ARM repair.
- This study aimed to develop and validate the Baylor Continence Scale (BCS) for measuring social continence in pediatric ARM patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Baylor Continence Scale (BCS) as a tool for assessing social continence.
- To measure social continence in children who have undergone surgical correction of ARMs.
- To evaluate the impact of ARM repair on children's social continence and family well-being.
Main Methods:
- The Baylor Continence Scale (BCS) is a 23-question survey.
- The BCS was administered to three groups: children with repaired ARMs, children with enuresis, and typically developing children.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare BCS scores across the groups.
Main Results:
- Children with ARMs had a significantly higher average BCS score (28.0) compared to enuresis (16.5) and normal control groups (11.5).
- A greater proportion of children in the ARM group reported higher Impact on Family Scores (>30) than control groups.
- These findings highlight the persistent challenges faced by children with ARMs and their families.
Conclusions:
- The Baylor Continence Scale (BCS) is a valuable tool for future research on interventions for incontinence after ARM repair.
- The study underscores the significant and lasting impact of caring for a child with an imperforate anus on family life.
- The BCS can aid in understanding and improving the quality of life for children with ARMs and their families.
Background:
Anorectal malformations (ARMs) often result in lifelong problems with defecation. There have been no studies performed to develop scoring systems in children with fecal incontinence following repair of ARM. This study was designed to develop and validate a tool (Baylor Continence Scale [BCS]) to measure social continence in children after surgical correction of ARMs.
Methods:
The BCS is a 23-question survey, was administered to children who have had repair of an ARM, children with enuresis, and normal children.
Results:
Children in the ARM group had an average BCS score of 28.0, which was statistically different from an enuresis control group (16.5) and normal controls (11.5) (P < .05). A significantly greater proportion of children in the ARM group had higher Impact on Family Scores (>30) than either the enuresis or normal control group (P < .05).
Conclusions:
The BCS tool should be useful in prospective studies of interventions to improve incontinence after repair of an ARM. An important secondary result of this study was to demonstrate the effect on families of caring for a child with imperforate anus, even years after the repair.
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