Health-related quality of life and ambulation in children with myelomeningocele in a Swedish population: Health-related quality of life in children with myelomeningocele

The aim was to study health-related quality of life (HRQL) in Swedish children with myelomeningocele (MMC) with respect to ambulatory function.A physical examination of the lower limbs was performed, and occurrence of orthopaedic deformities and shunted hydrocephalus was documented. A questionnaire on general health-related quality of life Child Health Questionnaire-50 Parent Form (CHQ-PF50) was answered by the parents of 62 children, mean age 12.5 (3.1) years.The non-ambulatory children had significantly more frequent spasticity in the lower limbs, more often joint contractures as well as hip dislocation or spine deformity compared with ambulating patients. Thirty-two per cent of the ambulators managed without wheelchair use. All non-ambulators were wheelchair users, of which 60% used both a manual and a powered wheelchair. The children with MMC perceived significantly lower HRQL of all subscales of CHQ compared with the healthy control group. Physical function was significantly higher in ambulatory patients, PF = 57.1 compared with 22.2 for non-ambulatory patients.A Swedish population of children with MMC perceived lower HRQL compared with healthy children, but similar HRQL irrespective of ambulatory function except for the physical domain was reported.