title: Catamnestic investigations in children with congenital hydrocephalus.
abstract: Catamnestic investigations on the course of pregnancy, family history and genetics were carried out in 141 children suffering from congenital hydrocephalus. The results were compared with those obtained from a group of non-malformed controls investigated by the same criteria. There was a considerably higher incidence of pregnancy disturbances (i.e. diseases, drugs, haemorrhage etc.) in mothers who later gave birth to a child with congenital hydrocephalus, than mothers of the control group (congenital hydrocephalus: 61.3% vs. controls: 30.1%). This high incidence of pregnancy disturbances could be particularly referred to a sevenfold increased rate of diseases and a fourfold increased rate of drug intake during the first trimester. There was also a higher rate of malformed relatives in children with congenital hydrocephalus (16.7%) than in controls (6.4%); not only were malformations of the central nervous system found to be increased but also malformations of other organ systems in relatives. This is interpreted as a hint not only at genetic influences but also at a generally higher incidence of malformations in a relatively small group of persons. Calculated figures of recurrence risk were in accordance with empirical data used in genetic counselling.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Surgical Clinic, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital of the University of Munich, F.R.G.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Angerpointner
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pockrandt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schroer
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D001724:Birth Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D010331:Paternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology