Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychosocial Morbidity in Anorectal Malformation and Hirschsprung's Disease

Anorectal malformation (ARM) and Hirschsprung's disease (HD) are the most common congenital colorectal anomalies. Despite advances in surgical techniques and improvements in postoperative clinical care, short- and long-term physical and psychosocial morbidity of these patients remains high. This review outlines the current literature on the physical and psychosocial aspects of health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and its confounders in patients with ARM/HD. Moreover, important coping strategies are summarized to further improve HrQoL of ARM/HD patients and their families.