Sports and pediatric cerebrospinal fluid shunts: who can play?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to collect and review available data on the incidence of sport-related complications in children with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts.


METHODS
After review of medical and legal literature revealed no reports on sports and shunts, an Internet-based survey was conducted of pediatric neurosurgeons. Observed complications, recommendations for sport participation, and shunt volume data were collected.


RESULTS
Ninety-two providers (55% sample) responded. Seventy-seven percent had never observed a sport-related shunt complication in their practice. The remaining 23% witnessed an estimated total of 25 to 30 complications. Broken shunt catheters and shunt dysfunction were the most common complications observed. Only one acute intracranial hematoma was reported in the entire series. The incidence of sport-related CSF complications in children seems to be significantly less than 1%. Ninety percent of pediatric neurosurgeons do not restrict their patients' participation in noncontact sports. For contact sports, approximately one-third of neurosurgeons preclude all participation, whereas another third restrict specific sports. The final third of neurosurgeons surveyed do not restrict participation in contact sports for children with CSF shunts.


CONCLUSIONS
Sport-related complications in children with CSF shunts are very uncommon.
Blount
Jeffrey P
JP
Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Childrens Hospital of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. jeffrey.blount@ccc.uab.edu
Severson
Meryl
M
Atkins
Vickie
V
Tubbs
R Shane
RS
Smyth
Matthew D
MD
Wellons
John C
JC
Grabb
Paul A
PA
Oakes
W Jerry
WJ
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D020407:Internet; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000523:psychology*; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires