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Clinico-epidemiological features of infantile hydrocephalus in Japan
S Nakashima1, K Watanabe, T Negoro
1Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
A 1988 Japanese survey found infantile hydrocephalus (a brain fluid buildup) affects many infants. Neural tube defects caused most primary cases, while intracranial hemorrhage increasingly caused secondary cases in preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Infantile hydrocephalus presents significant clinical and epidemiological challenges.
- Understanding the causes and trends of early-onset hydrocephalus is crucial for pediatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and clinico-epidemiological characteristics of hydrocephalus in infants under one year of age in Japan.
- To identify the primary causes and etiological trends of infantile hydrocephalus.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide survey conducted in 1988 across Japan.
- Questionnaires were distributed to hospitals with over 200 beds.
- Analysis included 1435 patients diagnosed with infantile hydrocephalus born before 1987.
Main Results:
- Approximately two-thirds of patients presented with primary hydrocephalus.
- Neural tube defects were the most common cause of primary hydrocephalus, particularly in full-term infants.
- Secondary hydrocephalus was more frequent in preterm infants, often resulting from intracranial hemorrhage, which showed an increasing trend over time.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the distinct etiological patterns of primary and secondary infantile hydrocephalus.
- A notable increase in hydrocephalus secondary to intracranial hemorrhage was observed, contrasting with a decrease in cases linked to intracranial infection.
Abstract:
In 1988, a nationwide survey was conducted in Japan, in order to examine the prevalence and clinico-epidemiological features of hydrocephalus that developed before 1 year of age. The study was based on questionnaires that were sent to all hospitals in Japan with more than 200 beds. There were 1435 patients who were eligible for the analysis. They were born before 1987 and diagnosed as having infantile hydrocephalus. Approximately two-thirds of the patients had primary hydrocephalus. Neural tube defects were the most frequent cause of the primary hydrocephalus and common among full-term infants. On the other hand, secondary hydrocephalus occurred more often in preterm infants, mainly following intracranial hemorrhage. Intracranial hemorrhage as a cause of hydrocephalus increased over the year, while the incidence of hydrocephalus secondary to intracranial infection decreased during the same period.