Background <p>Pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes significantly impaired health-related quality of life (hrQOL) and caregiver burden, but no studies focus specifically on autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD).</p> Methods <p>This prospective case–control study assessed hrQOL (using PedsQL®ESRD) and screened for psychosocial problems (strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)) in 43 children with ARPKD. Fifty-eight caregivers reported on the disease’s impact on family (FaBel) and their own QOL (Ulm inventory of parental caregiver QOL (ULQIE)). As controls, we questioned 36 matched healthy children and 57 parents under similar pandemic restrictions and used published historical controls (healthy and with advanced CKD).</p> Results <p>Patients were aged 9.0 ± 4.8&#xa0;years with CKD stage G1–4 (45%), on dialysis (14%) or after kidney transplantation (26%). Nine patients had developmental delay secondary to medical complications. PedsQL®ESRD total scores correlated significantly to kidney function, but could not capture liver-specific symptoms. All 4 measures showed significant differences between treatment modalities with best scores in patients during CKD stages G1–4 and worst on dialysis, except SDQ, which was worst after transplantation. The most significant extra-renal risk factor for all 4 scores was developmental delay of the child. SDQ scores were elevated in contemporary vs. historical controls, but even further in ARPKD especially for peer relationship problems.</p> Conclusion <p>In summary, ARPKD causes significantly impaired hrQOL, psychosocial problems and caregiver burden, which were equal to, if not greater than, that of controls with more advanced kidney failure. Treatment modality and developmental delay were the most important risk factors.</p> Trial registration <p>Trial registered 06/2020 DRKS S00021059.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>