Does a VP shunt cure hydrocephalus?

Does a VP shunt cure hydrocephalus?

Although there is currently no cure for hydrocephalus, a shunt, like those from Medtronic, can help relieve some of the symptoms of the condition.

Can you have a baby with a VP shunt?

They concluded that maternal shunts during pregnancy increased the incidences of complications for some patients however; with proper management those patients can have a normal pregnancy and labor. So the presence of a VP shunt is not a contraindication for pregnancy.

Are VP shunts common?

VP shunts are the most common type of shunt for draining excess CSF.

Can a fetus have hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is often congenital, meaning babies are born with it, but infants and children can develop it as well. There is no one specific cause of congenital hydrocephalus.

Does hydrocephalus stunt growth?

In small children and infants, hydrocephalus can affect the head by increasing its size to accommodate the excess fluid buildup. Hydrocephalus may also slow growth in children as well have an impact on facial formation and eye spacing.

What is VP shunt placement?

To help drain the extra CSF from your brain, a VP shunt will be placed into your head. The VP shunt works by taking the fluid out of your brain and moving it into your abdomen (belly), where it’s absorbed by your body. This lowers the pressure and swelling in your brain.

How often do VP shunts fail?

The incidence of overall shunt malfunction was found to be 15.4%, while the incidence of shunt revision was 14.1%. Kaplan–Meier curve showed that shunt failure rates at 6 months, 1 year, and 6 years were 19/227 (8.4%), 25/227 (11.0%), and 35/227 (15.4%), respectively.

What causes a baby to be born with hydrocephalus?

When hydrocephalus is congenital, it may be the result of a condition like spina bifida, where the baby’s spine does not form normally, or aqueductal stenosis, a narrowing of the passage between the third and fourth ventricles in the brain. Hydrocephalus may also be caused by a genetic disorder.