Physical Fitness and Locomotor Skills in Children With Esophageal Atresia-A Case Control Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Patients with esophageal atresia (EA) often experience physical limitations. With increasing survival over the past decades, the focus in care shifted toward improving the long-term quality of life. We performed validated testing fitness and motor skills in children born with EA.Methods: Patients with EA were evaluated using the standardized Kinderturntest Plus/ Deutscher Motorik Test after caregiver's written consent. Test scores range from 1 to 5 (compared to an age- and gender matched standard population). Caregivers completed an online-questionnaire on patient history.Results: Seventeen patients (median age 7 [3–12] years) were included. Comorbidities were prematurity (54%), birth weight <1,500 g (23%), congenital heart disease (46%), developmental delay (38%), skeletal deformity (23%), and anorectal malformation (15%). The mean test score was significantly lower in children with EA (2.19) compared to a control group matched for age, gender, body weight, and –height, (2.75, p = 0.04), and the general population (3, p = 0.00). Distribution of patient scores was below the 41st performance percentile for gender and age in 54–63%. Caregivers identified notable deficits of strength and endurance. All but one patient complained about discomfort during physical exercise, most commonly respiratory distress (46%) and gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (31%). Notably, 93% of subjects participated in regular school physical education classes, and 86% participated regularly in additional organized sporting activities.Conclusions: Children after EA repair have decreased physical fitness and impaired locomotor function compared to the general population on a standardized test. Physical discomfort is frequent during exertion. To avoid demotivation, locomotor skill should be promoted at each individual's comfortable level.The study was registered at www.researchregistry.com (No. 3707).

Classroom-Based Micro-Sessions of Functional High-Intensity Circuit Training Enhances Functional Strength but Not Cardiorespiratory Fitness in School Children—A Feasibility Study

“…The German Motor Ability Test was performed as described in detail elsewhere (31) and has been applied frequently to assess CRF and functional strength (34–36). As mentioned above, the German Motor Ability Test shows very good test quality criteria for all test items (31).…”

Cardiorespiratory performance and locomotor function of patients with anorectal malformations

“…However, examinations of the physical performance following ARM repair are lacking. Decreased cardiorespiratory performance and impaired motor skills frequently occur in patients with congenital malformations, such as esophageal atresia (EA) or congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and in children with chronic health conditions 6 , 8 – 10 .…”

Cardiorespiratory performance capacity and airway microbiome in patients following primary repair of esophageal atresia

“…This could be associated with a decreased physical fitness and impaired locomotor function as described in previous studies. 6 , 7 , 31 Therefore, a routine locomotor function evaluation in school-aged patients and a referral to physiotherapy if required seems to be necessary in EA/TEF patients.…”

“…[1][2][3]5,6 While the negative impact of those health conditions on quality of life in adolescence and adulthood has been demonstrated in several studies, there is no exact idea about the relationship between early childhood disease progression and later pulmonary impairment. 2,5,7 Recurrent respiratory tract infections may contribute to impaired pulmonary function.…”