Health-related quality of life in children with congenital heart disease aged 5 to 7 years: a multicentre controlled cross-sectional study

Background: In the context of tremendous progress in congenital cardiology, more attention has been given to patient-related outcomes, especially in assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD). However, most studies have mainly focused on teenagers or adults and currently, few HRQoL controlled data is available in young children. This study aimed to evaluate HRQoL of children with CHD aged 5 to 7 y.o., in comparison with contemporary peers recruited in school, as well as the factors associated with HRQoL in this population. Methods: This multicentre controlled prospective cross-sectional study included 124 children with a CHD (mean age = 6.0 +/- 0.8 y, 45% female) during their outpatient visit and 125 controls (mean age = 6.2 +/- 0.8 y, 54% female) recruited at school. A generic paediatric HRQoL instrument was used (PedsQL 4.0). Results: Self-reported HRQoL in children with CHD was similar to controls, overall (73.5 +/- 1.2 vs. 72.8 +/- 1.2, P = 0.7, respectively), and for each dimension. Parents-reported HRQoL was significantly lower in the CHD group than in controls. HRQoL was predicted by the disease severity and by repeated invasive cardiac procedures (surgery or catheterization). Conclusion: HRQoL in young children with CHD aged 5 to 7 years old was good and similar to controls. This study contributed to the growing body of knowledge on HRQoL in congenital cardiology and emphasized the need for child and family support in the most complex CHD.