Guidelines for Treating Pediatric Hydrocephalus

The Incidence of Pediatric Hydrocephalus Is Approximately 1 in 500 Live Births

Author: Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group
Published: 2014/11/01 - Updated: 2023/05/02 - Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Contents: Summary - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: Evaluation of current treatments for pediatric hydrocephalus and up-to-date evidence-based recommendations for their use. The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines Task Force, state: pediatric hydrocephalus is the most common surgically correctable neurological problem in infants, children, and adolescents. Hydrocephalus affects hundreds of thousands of Americans, in every stage of life, from infants to the elderly. It affects people in all walks of life, from every socioeconomic background.

Hydrocephalus

The term hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek words "hydro" meaning water and "cephalus" meaning head. As the name implies, it is a condition in which the primary characteristic is excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. Although hydrocephalus was once known as "water on the brain," the "water" is actually cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - a clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The excessive accumulation of CSF results in an abnormal widening of spaces in the brain called ventricles. This widening creates potentially harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain. Although hydrocephalus can occur at any age, it's more common among infants and older adults.

Main Digest

The Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group is pleased to announce today's publication of "Pediatric hydrocephalus: systematic literature review and evidence-based guidelines," a supplement to the November issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. Authored by a volunteer task force from the pediatric neurosurgery community, the supplement offers a thorough evaluation of the current treatments for pediatric hydrocephalus as well as up-to-date evidence-based recommendations for their use.

The causes of hydrocephalus are numerous, and the disorder can be congenital or acquired. Hydrocephalus is called "communicating" when CSF can still move from one ventricle to another and "non-communicating" when passage from one ventricle to another is blocked.

The incidence of pediatric hydrocephalus is approximately 1 case in 500 live births.

The authors of this supplement, the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines Task Force, state, "pediatric hydrocephalus is the most common surgically correctable neurological problem in infants, children, and adolescents."

If left uncorrected, the accumulation of CSF can exert pressure on critical brain structures, causing the patient to experience cognitive, visual, motor deficits, seizures, or even death. Even with treatment, the patient may face challenges due to treatment complications, the need for repeated treatment, or unsatisfactory outcomes.

According to the authors, "current treatment methods are insufficient, and there is currently little agreement on the 'best' treatment, even among leading practitioners." To improve this situation, the authors decided to conduct a thorough evaluation of the various treatments of pediatric hydrocephalus currently in use and to disseminate their findings and recommendations to other practitioners.

Under the auspices of the Pediatric Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the Task Force conducted systematic reviews of the literature describing the current effectiveness of hydrocephalus treatments in infants, children, and adolescents. Included were patients with congenital or acquired hydrocephalus as well as communicating or non-communicating hydrocephalus. The Task Force examined relevant peer-reviewed articles published between January 1966 and March 2012 that describe current hydrocephalus treatments, treatment-related complications, and strategies to avoid or manage those complications.

The Task Force carefully evaluated the contents of each article and classified the quality of the evidence provided therein. Summaries of the contents of these articles are displayed in evidential tables throughout the supplement. The Task Force structured their treatment-related recommendations based on this evidence by the following methods endorsed by the AANS/CNS Guidelines Committee. The authors describe the basis of their recommendations in Part 1:

"Demonstrating the highest degree of clinical certainty, Class I evidence is used to support recommendations of the strongest type, defined as Level I recommendations. Level II recommendations reflect a moderate degree of clinical certainty and are supported by Class II evidence or a strong consensus of Class III evidence. Level III recommendations denote clinical uncertainty, which is supported by inconclusive or conflicting evidence or expert opinion."

Systematic Reviews and Guidelines Document

The systematic reviews and guidelines document begins with a foreword followed by an introductory article on methodology and eight articles focusing on hydrocephalus-related topics:

Parts 6 and 7 provide meta-analyses in addition to systematic reviews. Treatment recommendations are offered in each topic article, and the strength of each recommendation (Levels 1 through III) is clearly defined.

In summarizing the importance of these studies, the corresponding author, Dr. Ann Marie Flannery states,

"I urge readers to look at the recommendations and the evidence together. The recommendations and the strength relate directly to the evidence we found. The Task Force was very conscientious about transparency and being sure that what we published was evidence-based."

Hydrocephalus Facts and Statistics

Hydrocephalus Awareness Ribbon

Continued below image.
Image of the Hydrocephalus awareness ribbon which is light blue and dark blue with a drop of water on it, and the word Hydrocephalus printed lengthwise on the light blue side.
Image of the Hydrocephalus awareness ribbon which is light blue and dark blue with a drop of water on it, and the word Hydrocephalus printed lengthwise on the light blue side.
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Attribution/Source(s):

This peer reviewed publication pertaining to our Disability Publications section was selected for circulation by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "Guidelines for Treating Pediatric Hydrocephalus" was originally written by Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group, and submitted for publishing on 2014/11/01 (Edit Update: 2023/05/02). Should you require further information or clarification, Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group can be contacted at the thejns.org website. Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

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