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Purpose: To review data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with childhood trauma, including psychological maltreatment, physical maltreatment, sexual abuse, and neglect., Methods: The literature search was conducted with pre-defined keywords using the following electronic bibliographic databases: EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsyINFO, PSYNDEX, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Further databases were searched for relevant dissertations. Study selection and data extraction were completed by two independent reviewers., Results: The literature search yielded 1568 entries. Nineteen articles met all inclusion criteria and were retained for further analysis. Findings quite consistently showed significant negative associations between child maltreatment and both self- and proxy-rated HRQoL. Effect sizes range from small to large. Number of types of maltreatment and HRQoL were found to be negatively related., Conclusion: Data on HRQoL for maltreated children are still rare. Studies often investigate adult survivors of child maltreatment. Considering HRQoL in children and adolescents who suffered maltreatment would allow the planning of effective interventions and the evaluation of treatments to improve HRQoL of these children.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of men with a corrected hypospadias in comparison to circumcised controls. Furthermore, determinants of HRQoL were examined., Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, HRQoL of 45 men with corrected hypospadias (mean age: 26.2 years +/- 5.1) was compared with a control group of 46 circumcised men (mean age: 25.5 years +/- 4.9). Participants answered three questionnaires: The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 item questionnaire (SF-36), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the Penile Perception Score (PPS)., Results: Physical and mental dimensions of HRQoL were not impaired among men with corrected hypospadias if compared to circumcised men. Neither socio-demographic and medical variables nor erectile function (EF) predicted HRQoL. However, a negative genital self-perception (PPS) and a lower orgasmic function (OF) were risk factors for an impaired mental HRQoL., Conclusions: Our data suggest that the HRQoL of adult hypospadias patients is comparable to that of circumcised men. However, patients should be supported in developing a positive genital self-perception, because poor genital self-perception correlated with an impaired mental HRQoL. Since studies with non-operated men suggest that some adapt well to their penile condition, further studies should also include non-operated hypospadias., (Copyright © 2013 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To study the outcomes in long-term survivors of paediatric medulloblastoma (MB), we followed 51 consecutive children who were treated between 1980 and 2000 in a single institution. In 18 of 26 survivors (mean follow-up time 12.2 years), tumour control, neurological, endocrine, and neurocognitive complications and their impact on behavioural and psychological adjustment, and health-related quality of life (QoL) were comprehensively assessed using qualitative and quantitative measures. Endocrine deficits occurred in 61 %, neurological complications in 72 %, and significant school problems in 72 %. All patients had significant deficits in neurocognitive functioning: attention and processing speed was impaired in 79 %, learning and memory in 88 %, language in 56 %, visual perception in 50 %, and executive functions in 64 %. In comparison with healthy controls, social functioning was rated by the patients as the QoL dimension most affected. Parents' ratings were considerably lower than those of the patients. No MB survivor > 18 years of age (n = 12) had a boy- or girlfriend. Because of their treatment, including craniospinal radiotherapy, MB long-time survivors are not only at great risk for neurological, endocrine, and neurocognitive complications, but also of social isolation thereby decreasing self-rated QoL substantially.

30 patients (23 m/7 f) with untreated, isolated sagittal craniosynostosis (ISC) were re-evaluated at an average age of 9.25 years (2.5 - 25.5). Assessed were neurological status, head shape, school performance, behaviour (with Child Behavior Checklist CBCL), quality of life (TACQOL questionnaire), and a detailed neuropsychological testing (30 patients, 17 siblings as controls). Almost all patients/parents were pleased with the current situation. The aesthetic appearance seemed less obvious compared to photos in infancy. Psychological adjustment as measured by the CBCL was well within normal range. There was a slight tendency for increased internalizing symptoms. TACQOL revealed a lower score for positive emotions. Total score and subscores of test batteries assessing general intellectual performance were in the average range. 6 patients had below average scores in subtests for learning and memory. 12 children had below average scores in one or more subtests for attention. These "deficits" were obviously not of functional importance as all children attended regular school classes (1 exception, an immigrant child of low socio-economic status). These reassuring results regarding school performances, behaviour, and quality of life as well as aesthetic outcome may be helpful when discussing the indication for surgical correction of ISC.

Boys with hypospadias can suffer from specific psychological stress as a result of genital surgery and a cosmetically and/or functionally impaired penis. During recent decades intensive efforts have been made to improve the surgical techniques; yet the psychosocial and psychosexual development of children and adolescents after hypospadias surgery has only rarely been investigated. While the results of the few studies are altogether very contradictory, they also indicate that hypospadias patients suffer from specific problems like a negative perception of genital appearance. Therefore, they should be offered long-term follow-ups and psychosocial support until they reach young adulthood. For future research, it is necessary to systematically investigate the boys' quality of life and development in methodologically sound studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Children with mental health problems have been neglected in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) studies. Therefore, the aims of the current study were 1) to assess the influence of the presence of mental or physical health problems on HRQOL; and 2) to analyze the effects of item overlap between mental health problems and HRQOL-measurements. Methods Proxy- and self-rated HRQOL (KIDSCREEN-27) of children 9–14 years old was assessed across children with mental health problems (n = 535), children with physical health problems (n = 327), and healthy controls (n = 744). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted with health status, severity of symptoms, status of medication use, gender and nationality as independent, and HRQOL scores as dependent variables. The effects of item overlap were analyzed by repeating regression analyses while excluding those HRQOL items that contextually overlapped the most frequently-occurring mental health problem (attention deficits). Results Severity of symptoms was the strongest predictor of reduced HRQOL. However, all other predictors (except for the status of medication use) also contributed to the prediction of some HRQOL scores. Controlling for item overlap did not meaningfully alter the results. Conclusions When children with different health constraints are compared, the severity of their particular health problems should be considered. Furthermore, item overlap seems not to be a major problem when the HRQOL of children with mental health problems is studied. Hence, HRQOL assessments are useful to gather information that goes beyond the clinical symptoms of a health problem. This information can, for instance, be used to improve clinical practice.