Does the child with shunted hydrocephalus require long-term neurosurgical follow-up?
A prospective study was initiated to investigate parents' and doctors' attitudes towards how the follow-up of children treated with shunts for hydrocephalus should be undertaken. Twenty-three out of 85 (27%) of families whose children had been treated more than 6 months previously failed to attend for their clinic appointment compared with 15% of those attending for other (non-hydrocephalus-related) problems. The possible reasons for this discrepancy have been analysed together with the results of a questionnaire filled in by both the parents and the clinic doctors at the time of the appointment. Although both parties felt that there was a sizeable group of patients for whom continuing neurosurgical follow-up was no longer required there was little concordance in identifying who these patients actually were. Also taken into account were the economic factors which influence both parental and medical decision-making. In the light of our study, new ways of managing the follow-up of these children have been formulated.
Kimmings
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Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Kleinlugtebeld
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Casey
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Hayward
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RD
D000293:Adolescent; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology