Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
05:51
Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
Repeat cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection in children
A V Kulkarni1, D Rabin, M Lamberti-Pasculli
1Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
Pediatric Neurosurgery
|September 11, 2001
Summary
The risk of repeat cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infection (RSI) in children is substantial, with a 24.4% risk plateauing at 90 days. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to identify specific risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections are a significant complication in pediatric hydrocephalus management.
- Understanding the risk factors for repeat shunt infection (RSI) is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the treatment of initial shunt infections (ISI) in children.
- To identify risk factors associated with repeat shunt infections (RSI) within six months of ISI.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 51 children treated for CSF shunt infection between 1996 and 2000.
- Analysis of medical records to identify cases of RSI and evaluate potential risk factors using survival analysis.
Main Results:
- Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common infecting organisms.
- The actuarial risk of RSI reached a plateau of 24.4% at 90 days.
- No statistically significant risk factors for RSI were identified in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- The risk of repeat shunt infection is considerable, necessitating further investigation.
- Larger sample sizes are required to achieve sufficient statistical power for identifying RSI risk factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...