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Eur J Pediatr Surg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2420-0202
Original Article

Physical Activity Levels in Children with Esophageal Atresia and Congenital Heart Disease: A Comparative Multicenter Study

Luisa Maria Frankenbach
1   Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
,
Anne-Sophie Holler
2   Department of Pediatric Surgery at Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Hospital, Munchen, Bayern, Germany
,
Christina Oetzmann von Sochaczewski 
3   Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
,
Lucas Wessel
4   Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
,
Oliver J. Muensterer 
2   Department of Pediatric Surgery at Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Hospital, Munchen, Bayern, Germany
,
Jens Dingemann 
5   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany
,
Anke Widenmann
6   KEKS e.V., Patient Organisation for Esophageal Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
,
Paul Helm
7   National Register of Congenital Heart Defect, Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects, Berlin, Germany
,
Jannos Siaplaouras
8   Department of Health Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Hessen, Germany
,
Ulrike Bauer
7   National Register of Congenital Heart Defect, Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects, Berlin, Germany
,
Christian Apitz
9   Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
,
Claudia Niessner
10   Institute for Sport and Sport Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
,
Tatjana Tamara König 
5   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was supported by: Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects 01GI0601, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung 01ER1503 and the National Register for Congenital Heart Defects 01KX2140.
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Abstract

Aim of the Study Esophageal atresia (EA) is associated with impaired motor development, cardiopulmonary function, and physical activity (PA). Despite missing scientific evidence, this fact is often attributed to associated congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to investigate PA in EA patients without CHD compared with CHD patients and healthy controls.

Methods In this multicenter study, EA patients aged 6 through 17 years were included. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, minutes per week) was assessed using the standardized and validated questionnaire Motorik-Modul Physical Activity Questionnaire. EA patients were randomly matched 1:4 for gender and age with patients with CHD (n = 1,262) and healthy controls (n = 6,233). Patients born with both EA and CHD were excluded. Means and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. To identify associated factors, Spearman's correlation was performed.

Main Results Overall, 69 EA patients were matched with 276 CHD patients and 276 controls (57% male, 43% female, mean age 10,3 years, 95% CI: 9.5–11.1). Mean MVPA was reduced in EA (492 minutes, 95% CI: 387–598) and CHD patients (463 minutes, 95% CI: 416–511) compared with controls (613 minutes, 95% CI: 548–679). In subgroup analysis, MVPA was reduced further in females and older age groups with EA and CHD. For EA patients, there was no statistical association between Gross type, current symptoms, surgical approaches, and MVPA.

Conclusion Isolated EA and CHD were associated with reduced PA, especially in females and teenagers. To avoid additional morbidity associated with sedentary behavior, PA should be promoted during follow-up.

Keywords

youth - sports - congenital malformation - physical exercise - fitness

Note

This paper is part of Luisa Maria Frankenbach's dissertation at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 10 July 2024

Accepted: 19 September 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
23 September 2024

Article published online:
28 October 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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