title: Growth and development after oesophageal atresia surgery: Need for long-term multidisciplinary follow-up.
abstract: Survival rates in oesophageal atresia patients have reached over 90%. In long-term follow-up studies the focus has shifted from purely surgical or gastrointestinal evaluation to a multidisciplinary approach. We reviewed the literature on the long-term morbidity of these patients and discuss mainly issues of physical growth and neurodevelopment. We conclude that growth problems - both stunting and wasting - are frequently seen, but that sufficient longitudinal data are lacking. Therefore, it is unclear whether catch-up growth into adolescence and adulthood occurs. Data on determinants of growth retardation are also lacking in current literature. Studies on neurodevelopment beyond preschool age are scarce but oesophageal atresia patients seem at risk for academic problems and motor function delay. Many factors contribute to the susceptibility to growth and development problems and we propose a multidisciplinary follow-up schedule into adulthood future care which may help improve quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care and Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: h.ijsselstijn@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Hanneke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: IJsselstijn
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care and Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Saskia J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gischler
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care and Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Leontien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toussaint
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care and Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spoel
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care and Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Monique H M van der Cammen-van
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Zijp
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care and Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tibboel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Cognition; Growth; Motor function; Neurodevelopment; Oesophageal atresia; Outcome