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Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
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Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus

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Risk factors and epidemiology of pediatric ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection

Amir Erps1,2, Jonathan Roth3,2, Shlomi Constantini3,2

  • 1Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|October 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

A history of multiple cerebrospinal fluid shunt revisions significantly increases infection risk. Children under five years old are also at higher risk for shunt infection.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Infectious Disease

Background:

  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts are crucial for hydrocephalus treatment.
  • Shunt infection is a serious complication impacting patient outcomes.
  • Identifying risk factors is essential for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify independent risk factors for CSF shunt infection in pediatric patients.
  • To analyze demographic, clinical, and microbiological data associated with shunt infection.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 1,570 shunt-related surgeries in patients aged 0-18 years (1996-2015).
  • Case-control study comparing 68 infected patients with 132 infection-free controls matched for surgery year.
  • Multivariate analysis to determine independent risk factors for shunt infection.

Main Results:

  • The annual infection rate was 4.2%.
  • Key risk factors for infection included a history of two or more previous shunt revisions (OR 4.8) and age under 5 years (OR 4.5).
  • Neoplastic etiology for hydrocephalus was a protective factor (P=0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Previous shunt revision is the most significant risk factor for subsequent infection.
  • Age over 5 years acts as a protective factor against shunt infection.
  • Future research should focus on optimizing revision procedures to minimize infection risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
hydrocephaluspediatricrisk factorshunt infection

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