Quality of Life Outcomes in Children Following Surgical Management of Gastroschisis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Ahmed Nasr, Vid Bijelić, Lamia Hayawi, Manvinder Kaur, Meagan E Wiebe, Cesar Kattini, Victoria Larocca, Casey Thorburn

Journal: Journal of pediatric surgery 2025;60(4):162222

PMID: 40014935

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The quality of life of pediatric patients born with gastroschisis has yet to be documented in a systematic review. Our objective is to quantitatively summarize the parent and child-reported quality of life outcomes of children born with gastroschisis.

METHODS

Records were sourced from the MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EBM Reviews, and Embase databases. Studies that examined child and parent-reported quality of life outcomes in pediatric patients with gastroschisis were included. Screening and data extraction was conducted by three reviewers. The primary outcome was the reported quality of life functioning scores, and the secondary outcomes included gastrointestinal symptoms and nutritional limitations. A random effects meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed.

RESULTS

2695 articles were screened, and eight studies were included. Pooled parent-reported quality of life mean estimate scores were higher in the realms of physical and emotional functioning, with lower psychosocial and school functioning scores. Child-reported pooled standardized mean scores showed higher perceived physical functioning and social functioning with lower emotional and school functioning scores. Pooled parent-reported gastrointestinal symptom mean estimate scores showed higher heartburn and reflux, difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and food and drink limitation scores, representing improved clinical outcomes in those domains. Lower scores were noted in the domains of abdominal pain and constipation, indicating worse clinical outcomes in these domains.

CONCLUSION

The pediatric gastroschisis population has better quality of life scores in physical functioning with poorer abdominal pain and constipation scores. These symptoms should be highlighted when counselling the parents of these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

TYPE OF STUDY

Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses, and Guidelines.

Address: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.; Clinical Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162222

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Gastroschisis, Quality of Life, Child, Parents, Treatment Outcome