title: Ventriculoperitoneal shunts in high risk newborns weighing under 2000 grams: a clinical report.
abstract: Fifty-three low birth weight high risk newborns who developed progressive hydrocephalus despite a trial period of intermittent lumbar punctures underwent cribside ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. They all weighed less than 2000 g at the time of shunting (mean, 1308.6 g +/- 398.2 SD). The operative procedures were performed at a mean age of 31.5 days +/- 16.1 (SD). There were no deaths in this series. During the nursery stay, 14 patients required operative revisions for obstruction. The most common problem was infection, which occurred in 13 (24.5%) after the primary intervention and in another 5 of the 14 (35.7%) patients who required revision. The overall infection rate/patient was 26.9%. Shunt removal and intensive antibiotic therapy cured the infection in all but 1 patient. Premature, low birth weight newborns may undergo ventriculoperitoneal shunting, but close follow-up for complications such as infection and shunt obstruction is always required.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D012086:Reoperation; D012306:Risk; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents