Objective: End-stage chronic kidney disease (ESKD) can adversely affect growth and quality of life in children. Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is essential for comprehensive care and management of this population. This study aimed to evaluate HRQoL and associated factors among children with ESKD receiving kidney replacement therapy at Children’s Hospital 2.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 67 children aged 2–16 years with ESKD receiving kidney replacement therapy at the Department of Nephrology–Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital 2, from February to June 2025. HRQoL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™ 4.0), based on child self-report and/or parent-proxy report. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean overall HRQoL score of the 67 patients was 62.87 ± 18.38 (95% CI: 58.29–64.65). The social functioning domain had the highest score (74.77 ± 21.87). There was no significant difference in overall HRQoL between kidney replacement modalities (p = 0.37); however, the school functioning domain differed significantly between treatment groups (p = 0.001). The child’s place of residence, the primary caregiver’s educational level, and health insurance use during treatment were significantly associated with overall quality of life (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Children with ESKD receiving kidney replacement therapy at Children’s Hospital 2 had moderate HRQoL, with greater impairment in physical and school functioning domains. Overall HRQoL did not differ by treatment modality. Place of residence, the primary caregiver’s educational level, and health insurance use during treatment were factors associated with the overall quality of life of the children.