There is no cure for hydrocephalus, but with timely diagnosis and treatment, children with hydrocephalus can lead normal lives. They will require close care from physicians, neurosurgeons and sometimes neurologists as well.

Can a baby live a normal life with a shunt?

There is no cure for hydrocephalus, but with timely diagnosis and treatment, children with hydrocephalus can lead normal lives. They will require close care from physicians, neurosurgeons and sometimes neurologists as well.

Why would a newborn need a shunt?

In surgery, a doctor usually places a mechanical shunting device in your baby’s head. This helps to drain the fluid from your baby’s brain. The fluid is directed to another part of your baby’s body, where it can be absorbed.

Can a baby survive hydrocephalus?

Children often have a full life span if hydrocephalus is caught early and treated. Infants who undergo surgical treatment to reduce the excess fluid in the brain and survive to age 1 will not have a shortened life expectancy due to hydrocephalus.

How serious is brain shunt surgery?

A shunt is permanent, but because it can malfunction, it may have to be repaired or replaced throughout a person’s life. Other rare but serious problems can include infection and bleeding, usually within the first few weeks after the surgery.

Why are babies born with hydrocephalus?

There is no one cause for the type of hydrocephalus babies are born with. It may be linked to a genetic defect or a complication of another disorder, such as spina bifida or encephaloceles. Children may also develop hydrocephalus after birth as a complication of: premature birth.

How long does a shunt last?

It is difficult to predict how long shunts will last, but some practitioners note that about half of all shunts need to be revised or replaced after 6 years.

How long can you live with a shunt?

Outcomes of Surgery The shunt event-free survival is approximately 70% at 12 months and is nearly half that at 10 years, post-operatively. Shunts that are placed to channel CSF to other parts of the body may fail due to malfunction or infection. Infections occur in less than 10% of all surgeries.

Can a shunt cause brain damage?

A shunt blockage can be very serious as it can lead to an build-up of excess fluid in the brain, which can cause brain damage. This will cause the symptoms of hydrocephalus. Emergency surgery will be needed to replace the malfunctioning shunt.

Is hydrocephalus a birth defect?

Hydrocephalus is one of the most common “birth defects” affecting more than 10,000 babies each year. One out of every 500 newborns has hydrocephalus.

Can a shunt be removed?

Once the shunt has been proven to be unnecessary, it can be removed – typically as an outpatient procedure. Careful long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate for recurrence of hydrocephalus requiring shunt replacement.