Learning Objective #1: Understand that caregivers of preschoolers with very low birthweight had lower health-related quality of life

Learning Objective #2: Understand factors associated with quality of life for caregivers of preschooler with very low birthweight

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This study evaluated quality of life among caregivers of Taiwanese children with very low birth weight and examined factors associated with their quality of life at age 3 and 4. This study included 118 primary caregivers. Quality of life among primary caregivers was measured by the World Health Organization Questionnaire on Quality of Life: BREF-Taiwan version. The mean score in physical health domain (11.67) were the lowest, followed by environment (12.95), social relationships (13.47), and psychological domains (14.42). Compared to the norm scores among healthy adults, caregivers of children with very low birthweight had lower quality of life scores in physical health domain. Mean scores in the other three domains appeared to be similar. Caregiver with an educational level of college or higher had higher scores in social relationship domain. Children's health problems were significantly associated with caregivers' quality of life in all four domains. For neonatal morbidity, sepsis was associated with scores in the environment domain. Infants' adjusted gestational age at discharge was associated with scores in the social relationship domain. The lower quality of life score in physical health domain among caregivers indicates the need for promoting awareness in healthcare providers of the continuing impact that having a child with very low birth weight has on the quality of life. Healthcare providers should elicit information regarding the caregivers' perceived physical health and intervene early. This may help to improve the quality of life among caregivers of children with very low birth weight.