Epidemiology, prevention and management of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children

Julia Prusseit; Matthias Simon; Christian von der Brelie; Axel Heep; Ernst Molitor; Sebastian Volz; Arne Simon

doi:10.1159/000257520

Epidemiology, prevention and management of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children

Pediatr Neurosurg. 2009;45(5):325-36. doi: 10.1159/000257520. Epub 2009 Nov 11.

Authors

Julia Prusseit¹, Matthias Simon, Christian von der Brelie, Axel Heep, Ernst Molitor, Sebastian Volz, Arne Simon

Affiliation

¹ Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Bonn, DE-53113 Bonn, Germany.

PMID: 19907195
DOI: 10.1159/000257520

Abstract

The advent of ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) represented a substantial progress in the neurosurgical management of hydrocephalus in children. VPS infection is the most frequently observed complication. VPS infection is related to substantial morbidity and mortality, and exerts a negative impact on the quality of life of patients. Considerable personnel and financial resources have been devoted to its diagnosis and treatment. This article reviews the current literature and includes suggestions for the prevention, diagnosis and management of VPS infections.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Humans
Hydrocephalus / epidemiology*
Hydrocephalus / surgery*
Incidence
Prosthesis-Related Infections* / epidemiology
Prosthesis-Related Infections* / prevention & control
Prosthesis-Related Infections* / therapy
Risk Factors
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / adverse effects*
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / statistics & numerical data*