Study of Feeding Difficulties and Quality of Life in Children Under 18 With Tracheal Cannula at Karolinska University Hospital

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the relationship between feeding difficulties and self-assessed quality of life in children with tracheal cannulas. This observational study focuses on children with tracheostomies, a surgical opening in the neck to aid breathing, who may experience challenges with feeding and lower quality of life. The study aims to understand the types of feeding difficulties these children face, how they and their caregivers perceive their quality of life, and whether feeding issues affect their well-being. The study will include children under 18 years old who have tracheostomies and are followed regularly at the Long-term Intensive Care Unit LIVA at Karolinska University Hospital. Quality of life will be measured using the PedsQL instrument, covering health, emotions, social functioning, and schooldaycare activities. Feeding difficulties will be assessed using The Montreal Childrens Hospital Feeding Scale, which evaluates feeding abilities and behaviors. These assessments will take place during routine multidisciplinary team visits. Participants will undergo evaluations lasting about 10 minutes each as part of their scheduled care visits. Researchers will compare the quality of life and feeding difficulty scores with data from other populations to explore associations. The main outcomes measured over two years include feeding difficulties and quality of life in children with tracheostomies. This study will help identify factors that affect quality of life in this group and is ethically approved with ongoing follow-up planned until March 2027.

Feeding Difficulties and Quality of Life in Children With Tracheal Cannula