Work

Health-related quality of life of children born with very low birth weight and their caregivers in China: a cross-sectional survey

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Very low birth weight (VLBW) poses a significant global health burden. Despite improved survival, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of VLBW survivors and their caregivers, particularly in China, where incidence is rising, remains largely unassessed. Therefore, we conducted this study aiming to assess and describe the HRQoL of children who were born with VLBW in China, as well as that of their parental caregivers, which will contribute to the limited body of evidence regarding the dyadic HRQoL of VLBW children and their caregivers in low- and middle-income settings. Methods: -tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), effect sizes, multivariate linear regression, and Pearson correlation. Results: The median child age was 2.0 years and the median birth weight was 1,032.5 grams. For children aged 1-24 months, financial burden, home oxygen use, and parent-reported developmental problems were significantly associated with children's HRQoL (P<0.05). For children aged 2-7 years, developmental problems were significantly associated with HRQoL (P<0.05). Caregiver HRQoL was associated with child age, maternal employment, financial burden, oxygen dependency, and developmental issues (P<0.05). Child and caregiver HRQoL were significantly correlated (P<0.05). Conclusions: The study highlights HRQoL profiles of VLBW children and caregivers, emphasizing modifiable factors such as maternal employment, financial strain, oxygen dependence, and developmental problems. These findings should inform targeted care strategies to improve outcomes for both groups.

Source: Translational Pediatrics

DOI: 10.21037/tp-2025-aw-812