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Quality of life in mothers of children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy
Pediatrics International, 05/01/2012
Oskay D et al. – The results of this study revealed that mothers of children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) have poor quality of life (QOL) compared with mothers of healthy children. The limitation in elbow joint movements was found to be important for the mothers. The strongest impact of the illness is on the emotional reactions and social isolation of the mothers. Professionals involved in the care of children with OBPP should also help parents to cope with the burden of caregiving.
Methods- Ninety-three mothers of children with OBPP and 88 mothers of children without any health problems were included in the study.
- Children's demographic characteristics were recorded and the functional status of the upper extremity was determined with the active movement scale.
- The QOL of the mothers was assessed with the Turkish version of the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).
- There were significant differences between mothers of children with OBPP and the control group in total, physical activity, energy expenditure, and pain score of the NHP.
- A decrease in energy expenditure and physical activity levels were found to be related to children's active movement scale results in elbow flexion and extension, and forearm supination.
- A statistically meaningful difference was found between mothers of children aged 0–2 and mothers of children aged 2–7 years in emotional reaction, social isolation and total score of NHP.
