Beyond immune recovery: Quality of life and psychosocial challenges in children with inborn errors of immunity after transplantation
5 affiliations
- 1Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Kocamustafapasa, Fatih, Istanbul, 34098 Türkiye
- 2Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
- 3Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
- 4Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Immune Deficiency Research and Application Center, Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, The Isil Berat Barlan Center for Translational Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
- 5Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
Abstract
Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) provides definitive treatment for many inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Although most children achieve full immune reconstitution, long-term psychosocial and quality-of-life outcomes in medically stable survivors remain insufficiently understood.
Methods: Children aged 8–18 years with IEI who achieved complete immune recovery and had no chronic complications were included. Quality of life and psychological status were evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL-C) and the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Healthy children matched for age, sex, and sociodemographic background served as controls.
Results: Thirty-six patients and 41 controls participated. Children post-HSCT had significantly lower physical, psychosocial, and total quality-of-life scores (p = 0.022, 0.015, 0.006) and higher depression scores (p = 0.027). One-quarter of school-aged patients were not attending school, and one-third of families restricted exposure to crowded environments.
Conclusion: Despite immune recovery, children remain vulnerable to psychosocial challenges. These findings support incorporation of routine psychological assessment and family counseling into long-term post-HSCT follow‑up.
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BibTeX
@article{aydemir2026beyond,
title = {{Beyond immune recovery: Quality of life and psychosocial challenges in children with inborn errors of immunity after transplantation}},
author = {Sezin Aydemir and Ekin Nurhan and Isilay Turan and Necmiye Keser Ozturk and Betul Gemici Karaaslan and Zeynep Meric and Selami Ulas and Sevgi Bilgic Eltan and Haluk Cezmi Cokuğras and Elif Karakoç Aydıner and Safa Baris and Ahmet Ozen and Cigdem Aydogmus and Esra Yucel and Gizem Durcan and Mesut Yavuz and Burak Dogangun and Ayca Kiykim},
journal = {Irish Journal of Medical Science},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1007/s11845-026-04480-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04480-2},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Beyond immune recovery: Quality of life and psychosocial challenges in children with inborn errors of immunity after transplantation
AU - Sezin Aydemir
AU - Ekin Nurhan
AU - Isilay Turan
AU - Necmiye Keser Ozturk
AU - Betul Gemici Karaaslan
AU - Zeynep Meric
AU - Selami Ulas
AU - Sevgi Bilgic Eltan
AU - Haluk Cezmi Cokuğras
AU - Elif Karakoç Aydıner
AU - Safa Baris
AU - Ahmet Ozen
AU - Cigdem Aydogmus
AU - Esra Yucel
AU - Gizem Durcan
AU - Mesut Yavuz
AU - Burak Dogangun
AU - Ayca Kiykim
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/13
JO - Irish Journal of Medical Science
DO - 10.1007/s11845-026-04480-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04480-2
AB - Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) provides definitive treatment for many inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Although most children achieve full immune reconstitution, long-term psychosocial and quality-of-life outcomes in medically stable survivors remain insufficiently understood. Methods: Children aged 8–18 years with IEI who achieved complete immune recovery and had no chronic complications were included. Quality of life and psychological status were evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL-C) and the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Healthy children matched for age, sex, and sociodemographic background served as controls. Results: Thirty-six patients and 41 controls participated. Children post-HSCT had significantly lower physical, psychosocial, and total quality-of-life scores (p = 0.022, 0.015, 0.006) and higher depression scores (p = 0.027). One-quarter of school-aged patients were not attending school, and one-third of families restricted exposure to crowded environments. Conclusion: Despite immune recovery, children remain vulnerable to psychosocial challenges. These findings support incorporation of routine psychological assessment and family counseling into long-term post-HSCT follow‑up.
SN - 0021-1265
SN - 1863-4362
ER -