Health-related quality of life after pediatric heart transplantation in early childhood
Corresponding Author
Gonzalo Garcia Guerra
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Correspondence
Gonzalo Garcia Guerra, Department of Pediatrics, 3A3.07 Stollery Children’s Hospital, 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorGwen Y. Bond
Department of Pediatrics, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorAri R. Joffe
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorIrina A Dinu
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorMorteza Hajihosseini
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorMohammed Al-Aklabi
Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorCharlene M. T. Robertson
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Department of Pediatrics, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorSimon Urschel
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorthe Western Canadian Complex Pediatric Therapies Follow-up Program
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Gonzalo Garcia Guerra
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Correspondence
Gonzalo Garcia Guerra, Department of Pediatrics, 3A3.07 Stollery Children’s Hospital, 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorGwen Y. Bond
Department of Pediatrics, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorAri R. Joffe
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorIrina A Dinu
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorMorteza Hajihosseini
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorMohammed Al-Aklabi
Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorCharlene M. T. Robertson
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Department of Pediatrics, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorSimon Urschel
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorthe Western Canadian Complex Pediatric Therapies Follow-up Program
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background
There is limited information about HRQL after pediatric heart transplantation at a young age.
Methods
Prospective follow-up study of children who received a heart transplant at age ≤4 years. HRQL was assessed using the PedsQLTM 4.0 at age 4.5 years. This cohort was compared with healthy children, children with CHD, and with chronic conditions. Peri-operative factors associated with HRQL were also explored.
Results
Of 66 eligible patients, 15 (23%) died prior to the HRQL assessment and 2 (3%) were lost to follow-up, leaving 49 patients. Indication for transplantation was CHD in 27 (55%) and CMP in 22 (45%). Median age (IQR) at transplant was 9 (5-31) months. HRQL was significantly lower in transplanted children compared to population norms (65.3 vs 87.3, P < .0001), children with chronic conditions (65.3 vs 76.1, P = .001), and children with CHD (65.3 vs 81.1, P < .0001). Transplanted children with CHD had lower HRQL than those with a prior diagnosis of CMP (59.5 vs 72.5, P-value = .020). Higher creatinine pretransplant and higher lactate post-operatively were associated with lower HRQL.
Conclusion
Children after heart transplant had significantly lower HRQL, as reported by their parents, than the normative population, children with chronic conditions, and children with CHD.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No conflict of interests to declare.
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