Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare disease, resulting from a developmental malformation of the diaphragm. Over the last years, management of the affected children has improved significantly. Despite progress in the treatment, it is still related to a high mortality rate. After birth, congenital diaphragmatic hernias are associated with lung hypoplasia as well as pulmonary hypertension which can in turn lead to cardiac dysfunction. Comorbidities as gastroesophageal reflux or respiratory difficulties, such as chronic pulmonary symptoms or repeated respiratory tract infections are common amongst survivors. However, little is known about the health-related quality of life in children after surgical intervention of their diaphragm.

Aim: This study aims to obtain information on the health-related quality of life in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia to improve their future long-term management.

Methods: A single-centre prospective study was conducted, examining health-related quality of life of children between five and 18 years of age who were initially treated at the General Hospital of Vienna for congenital diaphragmatic hernia between 2005 and 2019. The validated KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire was used to assess the health-related quality of life of children with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, completed by the whole family, including the affected child himself (≥ 8 years old), parents, and siblings. Additionally, a detailed demographic review was obtained.

Inclusion Criteria:

• In this study, patients diagnosed with CDH, born between 2005 and 2019 and treated at the Medical University of Vienna at the Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics were included after giving their written consent for this study. Children with CDH, at least eight years old, their parents, and siblings (eight years or older) were asked to complete the questionnaire.

  • CDH patients answered the KIDSCREEN-27 childrens version questionnaire (see Appendix) if they were aged eight to 18 years.
  • Parents answered the KIDSCREEN-27 parents version questionnaire (see Appendix). If the CDH patients were younger than eight years, only their parents were asked to fill out the questionnaire.
  • If siblings were at least eight years old, they were also asked to complete a questionnaire, which is a newly created version of the KIDSCREEN-27 parents version concerning the quality of life of their CDH affected siblings (see Appendix).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Missing written informed consent to the study from the CDH patient, parents, or siblings led to exclusion. Parents and siblings of deceased patients were not included.

General Hospital of Vienna