An analysis of outcome of paediatric hydrocephalus: A 10 year study from Central India

Introduction: Ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt is an easy and inexpensive procedure done for the management of hydrocephalus all over the world. However, it is associated with several complications and morbidity.

Objectives: To assess the outcome of children having hydrocephalus who underwent VP shunt.

Method: In this retrospective study, records of 196 children who were operated on by the first author for hydrocephalus were analysed and the spectrum of complications noted. This ten year study was conducted from May 2010 to April 2020 and the patients were operated in various hospitals and tertiary care centres in Bhopal city, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Results: Out of the 196 patients, 120 were boys and 76 were girls. In this series 130 (66.3%) patients were less than 1 year of age. Median age was 20.7 months (range 1.4 months to 9.5 years). Aqueductal stenosis (35.7%) was the commonest congenital and tubercular meningitis (16.3%) the commonest acquired cause of hydrocephalus. Vomiting (18.4%) was the commonest symptom and enlargement of head (40.8%) the commonest sign. Common indications for shunt revision were shunt obstruction (10.2%) and shunt infection (6.6%). Mortality in this series was 12.8%.

Conclusions: Of the 196 children who underwent VP shunt for hydrocephalus over a period of 10 years, 12.8% died, 10.2% had shunt obstruction and 6.6% had shunt infection.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2021; 50(3): 453-458