Hydrocephalus is a condition resulting from disorder in absorption and circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It leads to a progressive ventricular dilatation and need of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) placement.The aim of our study was to present our experience with infants with hydrocephalus, ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, and early postoperative follow-up. A retrospective study was conducted comprising infants with hydrocephalus born between January 2019-January 2022 with ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement performed at the University Clinic for Neurosurgery in Skopje, Macedonia.Demographic and clinical characteristics, complications and the need for ventriculoperitoneal shunt were documented. Of twenty-three infants with hydrocephalus, 14 (60.8%) were preterm infants (median birth weight 2120 g; mean gestational age 33.1 weeks), 9 (39.1%) were term infants (mean birth weight 3600 g; mean gestational age 38.4 weeks).The etiology of hydrocephalus was: congenital hydrocephalus in 5 infants (21.7%), prematurity in 6 infants (26.08%), spina bifida in 2 infants (8.7%), systemic infection in 4 infants (17.3%), and intraventricular hemorrhage in 6 infants (26.08%).Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in all 23 infants, at the mean age of 33.5 (30-43) days. Postoperative complications as a result of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement were: ventriculitis manifested in 3 preterm (13%) infants, of which 2 (8.6%) died; five term infants (21.7%) had postoperative seizures, of which 2 infants (8.6%) died. Nineteen infants (82.6%) were discharged and transferred to the neonatology department. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement is a treatment of choice for infants with hydrocephalus, although postoperative complications in preterm infants increase the percentage of morbidity and mortality.
Background Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, and a major cause of mortality and morbidity in pediatric patients. Objective To determinate the values of procalcitonin (PCT) as a reliable biochemistry markers for early diagnosis of sepsis in newborns, before availability of culture and C-reactive protein (CRP) results. Methods In this study we include the 27 (M:F=15:12) febrile newborns, 37 -40 ± 2 GN with two or three clinical signs of sepsis from PICU at the University Children Hospital-Skopje. They have been divided into two groups: I group included 17 septic patients with negative blood culture and II group -10 septic patients with positive blood cultures. Results of blood count (WBC), CRP and PCT, were recorded. Procalcitonin levels were measured by using a immunoassay system Vidas based on the Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) principles, at admission and 3-5 days after admission. Results Regardless of whether blood culture is positive or negative, the values of procalcitonin PCT at the admission were increased in all 27 febrile newborn infants (!2 ng/mL). The values of C-reactive protein gradually increase after 24-36 hours at admission. The values of WBC increased at 18 patients, except in 9 pediatric patients with severe sepsis the WBC were decreased (WBC counts <4000). The second measurement of PCT, after 3 days, it is decreased. The value of PCT is a reliable parameter whether an appropriate antibiotic for the treatment is used. Conslusion We examined two parameters at febrile newborns with two or three clinical signs of sepsis, the values of PCT increased at the moment at admission, while the values of of C-reactive protein gradually increase. The PCT measurement provided valuable information before availability of culture results.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.