Abstract
Twenty-four high-risk newborns with a low birth weight developed progressive hydrocephalus and underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting (at the time of shunting they weighed 1,100–1,990 g, mean 1,541.5 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.
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Pezzotta, S., Locatelli, D., Bonfanti, N. et al. Shunt in high-risk newborns. Child's Nerv Syst 3, 114–116 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271137
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271137