There have long been reservations about measuring quality of life of children and adolescents, but those have been largely overcome by the development of validated methods such as the KINDL(R) Life Quality Questionnaire. There is a consensus nowadays about the most important dimensions of children's quality of life. Reliable data can be obtained also in dimensions other than those known in adults (self-esteem, satisfaction of relations with those of similar age, school performance). Quality of life can now be examined in relation to age and developmental stage. As judgments made by parents and children differ, opinions given by others may provide additional information, but can replace self-assessment to only a small extent. In therapeutic decisions involving older children or adolescents their own pronouncements are used in preference. Examples are given to show that also in paediatrics investigations of quality of life can contribute to assessing needs, decision-making and quality control in medical care. Paying attention to aspects concerning quality of life represents a changed attitude within medicine. Subjective estimates of their health given by young persons may in future provide a yardstick for medical action.
