20 May 2004
The follow-up study of infants with congenital hydrocephalus
Małgorzata Świątkowska-Freund, Jerzy Wojculewicz, Jerzy Szczapa, Krzysztof Preis, Iwona JanczewskaMed Sci Monit 2004; 10(2): 97-101 :: ID: 11838
Abstract
Background: Congenital hydrocephalus is the cause of heavy mental and physical handicap in children. Technical advances in sonography have facilitated the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in utero. The aim of the study was to follow the further development of children born with hydrocephalus. Material/Methods: We performed a follow-up study of 30 infants born with congenital hydrocephalus between 1991 and 2001, in the Department of Obstetrics of the Medical University of Gdafsk. The analyzed group consisted of children who lived until the end of the observation period (till 28.02.2003). We analyzed the fetal age at diagnosis, the time of delivery and mode of delivery. Newborn’s clinical charts were reviewed for the newborn’s state after birth, birth weight, head circumference and the presence of clinical symptoms of hydrocephalus. We analyzed the cause of death, shunt placement after birth and status of living infants.Results: In the period of 1991–2001 the 22.534 births took place. Hydrocephalus was diagnosed in 30 newborns born alive or dead. Its’ incidence was 1.2 per 1000 of all births. Eighteen (60%) newborns were delivered vaginally and 12 of them (40%) by cesarean section. Nineteen (63.3%) newborns were born at term and 11 (36.7%) – before term. In 26 cases (86.6%) hydrocephalus was diagnosedin utero. Six children (20%) were still born. By the end of the observation period, 18 (60%) children died and 6 (20%) children survived. Factors influencing the rise of risk of death in these children were prematurity, the presence of other central nervous system malformations or that of other organs. In the group of 6 children that survived until the end of the study, 2 of them had not and the other four had present neurological abnormalities ranging from severe (paralysis and incontinence) to minimal defects.Conclusions: Congenital hydrocephalus is still associated with high newborn’s and older children’s death rate. The presence of other malformations of central nervous system, as well as of the other organs, has a negative impact on the survival rate of children with hydrocephalus.
Keywords: congenital malformation, fetal hydrocephalus, newborn
744 0
Editorial
01 December 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Outbreaks of Post-Pandemic Childhood Pneumonia and the Re-Emergence of Endemic Respiratory InfectionsDOI: 10.12659/MSM.943312
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e943312
In Press
08 Dec 2023 : Clinical Research
Association Between Influenza Vaccine Uptake and Health Awareness: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based St...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:
04 Dec 2023 : Animal Research
Effects of Intrathecal Ketamine on Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Mech...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:
01 Dec 2023 : Clinical Research
Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Retrospective St...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:
30 Nov 2023 : Review article
Decoding the Neurological Sequelae of General Anesthesia: A ReviewMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI:
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292