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Outcome in pediatric hydrocephalus: a comparison between previously used outcome measures and the hydrocephalus
Marc Platenkamp1, Patrick W Hanlo, Kathelijn Fischer
1Department of Neurosurgery and Child Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
The Hydrocephalus Outcome Questionnaire (HOQ) effectively measures cognitive and physical health in children with hydrocephalus, correlating well with their schooling and motor function. This tool aids in assessing overall outcomes for pediatric hydrocephalus patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Hydrocephalus is a condition requiring ongoing management and assessment of long-term outcomes.
- Evaluating the functional status of children with hydrocephalus is crucial for understanding their development and quality of life.
- The Hydrocephalus Outcome Questionnaire (HOQ) is a tool designed to assess various aspects of health in patients with hydrocephalus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the correlation between Hydrocephalus Outcome Questionnaire (HOQ) scores and educational placement in children with treated hydrocephalus.
- To assess the relationship between HOQ scores and motor functioning in pediatric hydrocephalus patients.
- To evaluate the overall health outcomes in a cohort of children with a history of hydrocephalus.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 142 pediatric patients (85 boys) with a history of hydrocephalus, born between 1995 and 1999, were assessed.
- Health status was evaluated using the Hydrocephalus Outcome Questionnaire (HOQ), type of schooling, and motor functioning assessments.
- Data were collected through parental interviews and review of patient medical records.
Main Results:
- The Physical Health score of the HOQ showed a strong correlation with motor functioning (r = 0.652).
- The Cognitive Health score of the HOQ correlated well with the type of schooling (r = 0.672).
- Fifty-nine percent of patients attended schools for children with normal intelligence, and 30% had disabling motor functioning.
Conclusions:
- The HOQ demonstrates a significant correlation between cognitive function and schooling type, and between physical function and motor skills in pediatric hydrocephalus.
- The Hydrocephalus Outcome Questionnaire (HOQ) is identified as a simple and valuable instrument for assessing outcomes in pediatric hydrocephalus.
- These findings support the utility of the HOQ in clinical practice for evaluating the functional status and overall outcomes of children with hydrocephalus.
Object:
The objectives of this study were to assess, in a cohort of children with recently treated hydrocephalus, the correlation between scores on the Hydrocephalus Outcome Questionnaire (HOQ) and the children's type of schooling and motor functioning, and to assess the overall outcome of the children.
Methods:
The health status of 142 pediatric patients (85 boys) with previous hydrocephalus, born between 1995 and 1999, was assessed. Outcomes were determined using the HOQ, type of schooling, and motor functioning. Data were obtained from parental interviews and patient medical records. RESULTS. Twelve patients died (8.5%). Responses to the HOQ were obtained from 107 patients (65 boys). The mean age of the patients was 7 years and 9 months +/- 1.42 years (range 6-10 years). The Physical Health score of the HOQ correlated well with the motor functioning score (r = 0.652) as did the Cognitive Health score with the type of schooling (r = 0.672). Fifty-nine percent of the patients were able to attend a school for students with normal intelligence. Disabling motor functioning was found in only 30% of patients. Epilepsy was present in 14%.
Conclusions:
The results show a good correlation between the type of schooling and the Cognitive HOQ score and between the Physical HOQ score and the motor functioning score. The HOQ is a simple and very useful measurement for determining outcome in pediatric hydrocephalus.
