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Epidemiology of infantile hydrocephalus in Sweden. I. Birth prevalence and general data
Insights
The prevalence of infantile hydrocephalus (IH) in Sweden remained stable overall but increased in preterm infants. Cerebral hemorrhage was a common cause in very preterm newborns, with high early mortality rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Infantile hydrocephalus (IH) is a condition affecting newborns.
- Understanding its prevalence and trends is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the livebirth prevalence and trends of infantile hydrocephalus (IH) in a Swedish population.
- To identify factors contributing to IH, particularly in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Population-based survey in Sweden from 1967-1982.
- Inclusion criteria: liveborn infants with IH apparent before one year of age.
- Analysis of prevalence trends in term and preterm infants.
Main Results:
- Mean IH prevalence was 0.53 per 1,000 livebirths.
- A slight increasing trend in IH prevalence was observed from 1967-70 to 1979-82.
- The increase was primarily driven by a rise in IH among preterm infants; no increase was seen in term infants.
- Cerebral hemorrhage was identified as a cause in 12 of 23 very preterm infants.
- Mortality was highest before age one (15%).
Conclusions:
- The rising trend in infantile hydrocephalus (IH) is linked to preterm births.
- Cerebral hemorrhage is a significant factor in IH among very preterm newborns.
- Early mortality in IH is substantial, emphasizing the need for timely intervention.
Abstract:
The livebirth prevalence of infantile simple hydrocephalus (IH) was investigated in a Swedish population-based survey. The study comprised all liveborn infants with IH apparent before the age of one year and born in the study area between 1967-82. A total of 202 infants fulfilled these criteria; of these, 141 (70%) were born at term and 61 (30%) were preterm. The mean prevalence was 0.53 per 1,000, with a slightly increasing trend from 0.48 in 1967-70 to 0.63 in 1979-82. The increase was entirely referable to the preterm group, in which the prevalence rose from 0.13 per 1,000 in 1967-70 to 0.30 in 1979-82. There was no tendency to an increase in the term group. In 12 of 23 children born very preterm the origin of the IH was a diagnosed cerebral haemorrhage. This is compatible with the increased risk of the latter condition that has been found in very preterm newborns. The mortality among children with IH was highest before the age of one year (15%), after which it was 1.2% per year.