Assessing the Functional Status of Hospitalized Children

Abstract

As child death continues to decline with advancements in biomedical science and medical technology, nonfatal outcomes such as morbidity, functional status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) gain greater significance. In this issue of Pediatrics Electronic Pages , Pollack et al1 describe the development and validation of the functional status scale (FSS) to assess functional status among hospitalized children. The FSS was created by a multidisciplinary group of professionals using data from hospitalized children under 18 years, other than preterm infants, with a high risk for functional disabilities. These children included survivors of intensive care, technology-dependent children, and non–intensive care patients with conditions regarded as at high risk for functional disability, such as seizure disorder. Functional status is a child's ability to perform daily activities that are essential to meet basic needs, fulfill roles, and maintain health and well-being.2 Child health services researchers investigate complex phenomena (hypothetical constructs) by measuring observable indicators of such phenomena with the aid of specific tools.3 … Address correspondence to Fola Odetola, MD, University of Michigan, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, F6884 Mott/0243, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. E-mail: fodetola{at}med.umich.edu