Abstract
The quality of life was evaluated in twenty six children with surgically palliated complex congenital heart disease. Physical assessment included documentation of symptoms, calculation of an activity score and formal exercise testing. Social competence, behaviour, and educational difficulties were studied using the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist. An age and sex matched control group of thirty children with innocent murmurs was evaluated by the same protocol.
The majority of the study group had moderate limitation of exercise tolerance (mean maximal exercise time 7.1 minutes) with three patients having severe limitation of exercise. Two children were unable to attend school and eight attended only part-time. Behavioural disturbance was found in 22% of the study group as compared to 6.9% of controls (p<0.05). In particular those with complex heart disease displayed social withdrawl (p<0.001), but not depression or diminished self-esteem.
Conclusion: Despite limited participation in normal childhood activities most patients had good self-esteem. Quality of life was impaired in some cases by difficulties with social interaction.
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Casey, F., Mulholland, C. & Craig, B. QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE. Pediatr Res 32, 619 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00089
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00089