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Updated: Sep 9, 2025
14:59
Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
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Factors Affecting the Development of Hydrocephalus in Patients with Spinal Neural Tube Defects
Baris Erdogan1, Yasin Bocu, Halil Arslan
1Sanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Sanliurfa, Türkiye.
Turkish Neurosurgery
|September 4, 2025
Summary
Maternal folate and vitamin B12 levels are crucial for preventing spina bifida (SB). Higher SB severity and larger defect size increase hydrocephalus risk, necessitating targeted interventions for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Spina bifida (SB) is a complex neural tube defect with significant associated morbidity.
- Hydrocephalus frequently complicates SB, increasing patient mortality and disability.
- Understanding preventative factors and associated risks is crucial for improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing spina bifida (SB) formation.
- To investigate the causes and associations of hydrocephalus in SB patients.
- To evaluate the role of maternal nutrient levels in SB development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 51 SB patients operated between December 2021 and October 2022.
- Evaluation of maternal folate and vitamin B12 levels.
- Correlation analysis between SB characteristics and hydrocephalus development.
Main Results:
- Maternal folate deficiency was observed in 27.5% and vitamin B12 deficiency in 17.6% of cases.
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery for hydrocephalus was performed in 37.3% of patients.
- Higher SB anatomical level, increased defect severity, larger defect diameter, and female sex were associated with a higher risk of hydrocephalus.
Conclusions:
- Targeting the upper limit of normal maternal folate levels may aid in SB prevention.
- Hydrocephalus is a significant contributor to SB patient morbidity and mortality.
- Severity and anatomical level of SB are key predictors of hydrocephalus development.
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