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Quality of life in children with congenital heart defects

K Møyen Laane1, A Meberg, J E Otterstad

  • 1The Children's Habilitation Centre, Vestfold County, Tønsberg, Norway.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|October 29, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) generally report good quality of life, similar to controls. Some aspects of life quality were affected in operated CHDs and those with syndromes, but a trend for higher subjective quality of life was observed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Quality of Life Research
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are common birth conditions.
  • Assessing quality of life (QoL) in children with CHDs is crucial for comprehensive care.
  • Previous studies have explored various aspects of QoL in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the quality of life in children with congenital heart defects.
  • To compare QoL across different CHD subgroups and with healthy controls.
  • To identify factors influencing QoL in children with CHDs.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort of infants born 1982-91 with CHDs was identified.
  • Quality of life was assessed using a questionnaire covering external, interpersonal, and personal spheres.
  • Three CHD subgroups (spontaneously cured, surgically treated, associated syndromes) and matched controls were studied.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant differences in overall quality of life were found between CHD groups and controls.
  • Specific aspects of external, interpersonal, and personal QoL were influenced in operated CHDs and those with syndromes/malformations.
  • A trend towards higher subjective quality of life was noted in the total CHD group and subgroups.

Conclusions:

  • Children with CHDs, including those surgically treated or with syndromes, experience comparable overall quality of life to controls.
  • The findings suggest potential development of coping mechanisms and value recalibration in children with CHDs.
  • Further research into subjective well-being and adaptation in pediatric chronic conditions is warranted.

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