Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
Disabilities in children with hydrocephalus--a population-based study of children aged between four and twelve years
E-K Persson1, G Hagberg, P Uvebrant
1Department of Paediatrics, County Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden.
Insights
Children with hydrocephalus, particularly those born very preterm or with overt hydrocephalus at birth, face significant disability risks. Management advances haven't eliminated the considerable impact on long-term outcomes and motor problems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Hydrocephalus in children presents diverse etiologies and disability patterns.
- Evolving medical care necessitates updated information on pediatric hydrocephalus outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the disability profiles of children with hydrocephalus.
- To analyze these profiles across different etiological and gestational age subgroups.
- Focus on data from the 1990s to reflect contemporary management.
Main Methods:
- Population-based study of 114 children with hydrocephalus.
- Subgroup analysis included 70 with infantile hydrocephalus and 44 with hydrocephalus associated with Myelomeningocele (MMC).
- Clinical examinations and interviews were conducted for all participants.
Main Results:
- Infantile hydrocephalus group showed higher rates of learning disabilities (47%) compared to MMC (16%).
- Cerebral palsy (27%) and epilepsy (34%) were more prevalent in the infantile hydrocephalus group.
- Risk factors for poor outcomes included hydrocephalus overt at birth, low gestational age, perinatal origin, enlarged ventricles, and multiple shunt revisions.
Conclusions:
- Despite treatment advancements, pediatric hydrocephalus significantly impacts child outcomes.
- Very preterm birth and congenital hydrocephalus are associated with the highest risk of adverse outcomes.
- Children frequently experience motor deficits alongside major impairments.
Background:
Children with hydrocephalus represent a heterogeneous group with various aetiologies and disability profiles. Over the years, continuous changes in medical care have occurred and updated information is important.
Aim:
To study disability profiles in aetiological and gestational age subgroups of children with hydrocephalus in the 1990s.
Method:
A population-based series of 114 children, 70 with infantile hydrocephalus and 44 with hydrocephalus associated with MMC. All the children were examined clinically and interviewed.
Results:
Learning disabilities were present in 47 % of children with infantile hydrocephalus compared with 16 % of those with MMC, cerebral palsy in 27 % vs. zero and epilepsy in 34 vs. 11 %. Even after excluding children with cerebral palsy, the majority had abnormal tendon reflexes and scored below the 5th centile on a motor test. Hydrocephalus overt at birth, low gestational age, a perinatal origin, enlarged ventricles at follow-up and several shunt revisions all indicated risk factors for a poor outcome.
Conclusions:
In spite of major advances in management, hydrocephalus in children still has a considerable impact on outcome. Being born very preterm and with a hydrocephalus that is already overt at birth involve the highest risk of a poor outcome. Apart from major impairments, the children frequently have definite motor problems.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.