Physical Activity Levels in Children with Esophageal Atresia and Congenital Heart Disease: A Comparative Multicenter Study

Luisa Maria Frankenbach; Anne-Sophie Holler; Christina Oetzmann von Sochaczewski; Lucas Wessel; Oliver J. Muensterer; Jens Dingemann; Anke Widenmann; Paul Helm; Jannos Siaplaouras; Ulrike Bauer; Christian Apitz; Claudia Niessner; Tatjana Tamara König

doi:10.1055/a-2420-0202

European Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Table of Contents

Eur J Pediatr Surg 2025; 35(03): 171-179
DOI: 10.1055/a-2420-0202

Original Article

Physical Activity Levels in Children with Esophageal Atresia and Congenital Heart Disease: A Comparative Multicenter Study

Luisa Maria Frankenbach

¹Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

,

Anne-Sophie Holler

²Department of Pediatric Surgery at Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Hospital, Munchen, Bayern, Germany

,

Christina Oetzmann von Sochaczewski

³Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

,

Lucas Wessel

⁴Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

,

Oliver J. Muensterer

²Department of Pediatric Surgery at Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Hospital, Munchen, Bayern, Germany

,

Jens Dingemann

⁵Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany

,

Anke Widenmann

⁶KEKS e.V., Patient Organisation for Esophageal Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany

,

Paul Helm

⁷National Register of Congenital Heart Defect, Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects, Berlin, Germany

,

Jannos Siaplaouras

⁸Department of Health Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Hessen, Germany

,

Ulrike Bauer

⁷National Register of Congenital Heart Defect, Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects, Berlin, Germany

,

Christian Apitz

⁹Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

,

Claudia Niessner

¹⁰Institute for Sport and Sport Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

,

Tatjana Tamara König

⁵Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Aim of the Study Esophageal atresia (EA) is associated with impaired motor development, cardiopulmonary function, and physical activity (PA). Despite missing scientific evidence, this fact is often attributed to associated congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to investigate PA in EA patients without CHD compared with CHD patients and healthy controls.

Methods In this multicenter study, EA patients aged 6 through 17 years were included. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, minutes per week) was assessed using the standardized and validated questionnaire Motorik-Modul Physical Activity Questionnaire. EA patients were randomly matched 1:4 for gender and age with patients with CHD (n = 1,262) and healthy controls (n = 6,233). Patients born with both EA and CHD were excluded. Means and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. To identify associated factors, Spearman's correlation was performed.

Main Results Overall, 69 EA patients were matched with 276 CHD patients and 276 controls (57% male, 43% female, mean age 10,3 years, 95% CI: 9.5–11.1). Mean MVPA was reduced in EA (492 minutes, 95% CI: 387–598) and CHD patients (463 minutes, 95% CI: 416–511) compared with controls (613 minutes, 95% CI: 548–679). In subgroup analysis, MVPA was reduced further in females and older age groups with EA and CHD. For EA patients, there was no statistical association between Gross type, current symptoms, surgical approaches, and MVPA.

Conclusion Isolated EA and CHD were associated with reduced PA, especially in females and teenagers. To avoid additional morbidity associated with sedentary behavior, PA should be promoted during follow-up.

Keywords

youth - sports - congenital malformation - physical exercise - fitness

Full Text

References

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material