Clinical predictors and prevalence of receiving special preschool/school support in children with repaired esophageal atresia.

Abstract Background/purpose In a sparsely investigated field, we aimed to evaluate the use of special preschool/school support among children with repaired esophageal atresia (EA) and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), the predicting clinical factors for this support, and level of school absence. Methods Data on 119 EA/TEF children 2–17 years old were collected through medical records and questionnaires (response rate 95%). Logistical regression analysis identified clinical predictors of special preschool/school support in the population without genetic disorders (n = 105). Nominal hypothesis testing was performed using Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). Results Of the 119 children, 35.3% received special preschool/school support; 26.8% educational support, 21.8% support with nutritional intake issues and 13.4% received both types of support. Educational support was independently predicted by birth weight < 2500 g (p = 0.026) and associated anomalies (p = 0.049), nutritional intake support by gastrostomy insertion (p = 0.0028), and both types of supports by major revisional surgery (p = 0.0081). School absence ≥ 1 month/year, present in 25.5% of the children, was more frequently reported in children receiving preschool/school support, in preschoolers and in those with persistent respiratory problems (p < 0.05). Conclusions Special preschool/school support is provided for approximately one-third of EA/TEF children. In EA/TEF children without genetic disorders, use of this support is predicted by congenital and surgical factors, and related to frequent school absence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]