Factors affecting quality of life in early childhood in patients with congenital hydrocephalus

Background Predicting the outcome of congenital hydrocephalus in early infancy and childhood is difficult. Various consequences of hydrocephalus like ophthalmic, audiometric, musculoskeletal, and the developmental abnormalities play a complex role. We analyzed the quality of life of these patients in early life. Methods A prospective multispecialty assessment of the patients with congenital hydrocephalus, who had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the Pediatric Surgery unit of a tertiary care hospital, was carried out and analyzed. Results There were 24 boys and 6 girls. Eighty-three percent were operated before the age of 3 months. Mean age at follow up was 6 years (3–9 years). Shunt complications were seen in 53 % (16) of the patients, out of which 68.75 % had shunt blocks. In 70 % (21) of the patients, the ventricle to hemisphere ratio (VHR) was between 51 and 70 %, 20 % (6) had a VHR of more than 70 % and only 3 patients had a VHR between 40–50 %. Audiological and ophthalmic problems were seen in 20 and 66 % of the children, respectively. Musculoskeletal abnormalities were present in 36 % of the patients. Developmental profile showed 44 % being normal, 30 % retarded, and 26 % were borderline cases. The schooling had started in 56.6 %, out of which only one child went to a special school. Conclusions A multitude of problems associated with congenital hydrocephalus should be diligently diagnosed, aggressively followed and intervened with in the early years of life. Preschool management well before the peer interaction should optimize the social integration and improve the quality of life in these patients.