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Quality of life in preschool children born preterm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2001

Nicolet C M Theunissen ,
Sylvia Veen ,
Minne Fekkes ,
Hendrik M Koopman ,
Koos A H Zwinderman ,
Emily Brugman  and
Jan-Maarten Wit
Nicolet C M Theunissen
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Sylvia Veen
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Minne Fekkes
Affiliation:
TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) Prevention and HealthThe Netherlands.
Hendrik M Koopman
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Koos A H Zwinderman
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden UniversityThe Netherlands.
Emily Brugman
Affiliation:
TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) Prevention and HealthThe Netherlands.
Jan-Maarten Wit
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Abstract

The relationship of preterm birth to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was examined for children aged 1 to 4 years. Three gestational age groups with a NICU history were selected, <32 weeks (n=65), 32 to 36 weeks (n=41), [ges ]37 weeks (n=54), and a reference group from the open population (n=50). The main instrument was the TNO-AZL Preschool Quality Of Life (TAPQOL) questionnaire, which was completed by the parents. In addition, other outcome measures obtained from parents or neonatologists were investigated. Children born <32 weeks had significantly lower HRQoL than the reference group in the scales for lungs, stomach, eating disorders, motor functioning, communication, and anxiety. Parental feelings towards the child were related to the child's HRQoL. We found differences between the neonatologists' and parents' perceptions of the children's situation, which can have clinical consequences (e.g. different opinions about what needed treatment). Neonatal intensive care after birth has HRQoL implications for all children, particularly in children born at <32 weeks of gestation.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology , Volume 43 , Issue 7 , July 2001 , pp. 460 - 465
Copyright
© 2001 Mac Keith Press

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