Infantile hydrocephalus: declining prevalence in preterm infants

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Neurology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Infantile hydrocephalus is a significant concern in pediatric neurology.
• Longitudinal data on its prevalence and etiology in Western Sweden exist since the late 1960s.
• Changes in survival rates of very preterm infants may influence observed prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in infantile hydrocephalus prevalence among preterm and term infants in Western Sweden.
• To investigate the impact of perinatal intraventricular hemorrhage on hydrocephalus rates.
• To assess the relationship between etiology and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Population-based cohort study using birth registry data from Western Sweden.
• Analysis of live birth prevalence of infantile hydrocephalus across different birth year periods (1973-1978, 1983-1986, 1991-1994).
• Categorization by gestational age (very preterm, moderately preterm, term) and etiological factors.

Main Results:

• Live birth prevalence of infantile hydrocephalus in very preterm infants rose from 6.99 to 25.37 per 1000 between 1973-78 and 1983-86.
• Prevalence in very preterm infants declined to 13.69 per 1000 in 1991-94.
• Prevalence remained stable in moderately preterm and term infants, primarily linked to prenatal causes.
• Outcomes in surviving children were consistent with previous findings, emphasizing etiology's role.

Conclusions:

• The fluctuating prevalence of infantile hydrocephalus in very preterm infants is linked to changes in survival rates and perinatal complications like intraventricular hemorrhage.
• Etiology remains the primary determinant of neurodevelopmental impairments in children with infantile hydrocephalus.
• Continued surveillance is crucial for understanding and managing this condition.