Shunt in high-risk newborns.
Twenty-four high-risk newborns with a low birth weight developed progressive hydrocephalus and underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting (at the time of shunting they weighed 1,100-1,900 g, mean 1,541 g). The changes in hydrocephalus after shunting were determined by ultrasound examinations; preoperative examination was by CT. Of the factors evaluated for their relationship to shunt complication, we considered in particular babies with a CSF protein level of over 1.5 g/l (7 cases). These cases were treated with external drainage and later with ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Shunt infections occurred in 20.9%, in contrast with a low incidence of shunt blockage (8.3%), probably owing to previous external shunting in children with high CSF protein. There were 2 deaths (8.3%). All children underwent careful follow-up during the 1st year and serial checkups subsequently for 5 years.
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk
D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins