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Neuropediatrics 1988; 19(3): 143-145
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1052418
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Epidemiology of Infantile Hydrocephalus in Sweden. Current Aspects of the Outcome in Preterm Infants

E.  Fernell1 , B.  Hagberg1 , G.  Hagberg1 , G.  Hult2 , L. von Wendt3
  • 1Department of Paediatrics II, East Hospital, S-41685 Gothenburg, Sweden
  • 2Institution of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Box 14185, S-40020 Gothenburg, Sweden
  • 3The Bräcke Östergard Regional Pediatric Rehabilitation Centre, S-40071 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The outcome in a population-based series of 61 Swedish preterm infants born in 1967-82 with infantile hydrocephalus (IH) was investigated. Sixteen (26 %) died before the age of two years. The available information was updated when the 45 surviving children were at least four years and six months old. A structured follow-up examination was performed in the 13 children who had passed the age of six years. Among the 45 survivors, 47% had cerebral palsy, 51 % mental retardation and 33% epilepsy. The overall outcome for preterm infants with IH was found to be poorer than that for fullterm ones. Prognostic factors correlating to a poor outcome were an obvious origin of IH (pre- or perinatal) and a gestational age of less than 28 weeks. It is concluded that handicapped IH children born very or extremely prematurely constitute a new, and to a large extent severely braindamaged group that has entered the Swedish IH panorama since the end of the 1970s.

Key words

Infantile hydrocephalus - Outcome - Preterm Infants

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