The Quality of Life of Children with Myelomeningocele: A Cross-Sectional Preliminary Study

Anna Rozensztrauch, Magdalena Iwańska and Maciej Bagłaj
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Anna Rozensztrauch: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Magdalena Iwańska: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Maciej Bagłaj: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Propaedeutic of Pediatrics and Rare Disorders, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-10

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the defects and symptoms caused by myelomeningocele (MMC) and quality of life. Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Methods: The subjects were 52 parents of children with MMC. Structured questionnaires were used: the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL TM 4.0) and a Study-Specific Questionnaire (SSQ). Results: The overall PedsQL TM 4.0 score was 56.4 (SD ± 14.7). A strong, significant negative correlation was found between the children’s age and emotional functioning. Functioning in this area deteriorated with age by a mean of 1.5 points per year of age. Children with no hydrocephalus functioned significantly better than those with this defect in the physical, social, and school areas ( p < 0.05). Foot deformities significantly ( p = 0.033) adversely affected the children’s physical functioning. Living in a single-parent family had no statistically significant impact on functioning in any of the areas analyzed ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: Understanding the QoL of children with MMC and identifying its determinants may help in planning interventions to minimize the adverse impact of the illness.

Keywords: quality of life; myelomeningocele; comorbidities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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