Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children. A 6-year study.
In a study of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections conducted retrospectively between 1983 and 1987 and prospectively in 1988 39 infections from 372 shunt procedures (incidence 10.5%) were identified. The most common organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (18; 47%) followed by S. epidermidis (10; 26%). Forty-two per cent of staphylococci were methicillin-resistant. Gram-negative infections were associated with myelomeningoceles and Gram-positive infections with other forms of hydrocephalus (P = 0.048). Lymphocyte predominance was found more frequently than polymorphonuclear predominance in cerebrospinal fluid.
Cotton
M F
MF
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Stellenbosch, Parowvallei, CP.
Hartzenberg
B
B
Donald
P R
PR
Burger
P J
PJ
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology