Performance of the Toddler and Infant (TANDI) Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument in 3-4-Year-Old Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health Outcomes
• Quality of Life Assessment
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) measures are crucial for evaluating child well-being.
• Existing measures may have limitations in assessing 'age-appropriate' behaviors in young children.
• The Toddler and Infant (TANDI) dimensions of HRQoL offers a potential solution for this age group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity and feasibility of the TANDI for children aged 3-4 years.
• To compare the TANDI with established instruments like the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and EQ-5D-Y Proxy.
• To determine the TANDI's suitability for children with and without health conditions.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of 203 children aged 3-4 years, with caregivers completing TANDI, PedsQL, and EQ-5D-Y Proxy.
• Statistical analysis using Spearman and Pearson's correlation coefficients, and Kruskal-Wallis H-test.
• Exploration of feasibility, known-group validity, discriminate validity, and concurrent validity.

Main Results:

• The TANDI demonstrated feasibility and validity in 3-4 year olds.
• Children with health conditions showed different TANDI profiles compared to healthy children.
• The TANDI correlated moderately to strongly with PedsQL and EQ-5D-Y, indicating concurrent validity.

Conclusions:

• The TANDI is a valid measure for assessing HRQoL in 3-4 year old children, particularly those with health conditions.
• The PedsQL may be more suitable for healthy children, while EQ-5D-Y Proxy is recommended for older children or longitudinal preschool studies.
• Further research is needed to establish the TANDI's test-retest reliability and responsiveness.