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Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in preterm infants: long-term follow-up and shunt-related complications

A Reinprecht1, W Dietrich, A Berger

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Vienna Medical School, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. andrea.reinprecht@akh-wien.ac.at

Child'S Nervous System : Chns : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
|December 6, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Shunt complications like infection and blockage are common in preterm infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts may require fewer revisions than ventriculoatrial shunts.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Surgery
  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Hydrocephalus Management

Background:

  • Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a significant concern in preterm infants.
  • Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) frequently complicates IVH, necessitating intervention.
  • Shunt-related issues are a major challenge in managing PHH.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate shunt-related problems in neonates with PHH.
  • To compare the outcomes of different shunt types in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 42 preterm infants with PHH requiring permanent shunting.
  • Inclusion of 76 infants treated with external ventricular drainage over 15 years.
  • Comparison of ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts (n=10) and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts (n=32).

Main Results:

  • The average number of shunt revisions per patient was 1.57.
  • Infection (7.1%) and blockage (45.2%) were the primary reasons for shunt revision.
  • VP shunts used in revisions required significantly fewer subsequent revisions compared to VA shunts.

Conclusions:

  • Neurological outcome was not associated with shunt necessity or complications.
  • Programmable valves and neuroendoscopy can aid in managing shunt complications.
  • VP shunts may offer advantages in reducing re-revision rates.
Abstract

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