Abstract
Objective Children with hydrocephalus need regular monitoring following shunt surgery. A parent-completed
assessment tool was used successfully in follow-up of postshunt hydrocephalus children
in the recent pandemic.
Methods The Ages & and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) was sent via WhatsApp to parents of 40
postventriculoperitoneal (post-VP) shunt hydrocephalus children (7–57 months). Assessment
was done by the parents/guardians in five domains over a period of 3 months. The completed
questionnaires were analyzed and children with below the cutoff scores were called
to the hospital for further evaluations and intervention if necessary.
Result Questionnaires of 25 children were found completed and analyzed. There were 16 males
and 18 children had aqueductal stenosis and 11 had meningomyelocele. Eighteen children
with failed/borderline (11/7) ASQ scores were called for further evaluation and in
all but one the scores obtained by the parents and clinical psychologists were found
comparable. Two children needed hospital admissions for shunt revision and adjustment
of anticonvulsant medicines.
Conclusion The ASQ could be a useful tool, as parents can conduct the test at home and attend
clinics in case of failed or borderline scores for further developmental assessment
and/or intervention. This can be used as a routine monitoring tool in other clinical
situations as well.
Keywords
ages and stages questionnaires - hydrocephalus - development monitoring - screening
tool
