Infection The most common complication of shunts is infection. Infections are most likely to happen within a few months of the shunt being installed. Symptoms of shunt infections can include: Redness and tenderness along the length of the shunt High temperature above (38C or more) Headache Abdominal pain (in the case of VP shunts) Irritability or sleepiness in babies. A shunt infection is considered an medical emergency. WARNING SIGNS FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN WITH SHUNTS www.nhs.uk/conditions/hydrocephalus/ www.harrys-hat.org Shunt blockage A shunt becoming blocked, called a shunt blockage or shunt failure. This will cause excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to build up inside the brain, leading to symptoms of hydrocephalus. Surgery will be needed to replace the shunt and prevent brain damage. Symptoms of shunt failure/blockage can include: An unusually large head A tense or bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of a baby’s head) A thin scalp with visible blood vessels Eyes that look downwards (sometimes called sun-setting eyes) Vomiting Sleepiness Poor feeding Irritability Feeling the child is "just not quite right". If your child experiences any symptoms of shunt blockage/failure you should contact your child’s healthcare team immediately - a shunt blockage/failure is a medical emergency. It is estimated that around 4 in 10 shunts will fail within the first year after surgery, and around 7 out of 10 will need replacing within 10 years.
WARNING SIGNS FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN WITH SHUNTS
Sep 16, 2022
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Signs of Hydrocephalus in babies and childrenInfection The most common complication of shunts is infection. Infections are most likely to happen within a few months of the shunt being installed.
Symptoms of shunt infections can include: Redness and tenderness along the length of the shunt High temperature above (38C or more) Headache Abdominal pain (in the case of VP shunts) Irritability or sleepiness in babies.
A shunt infection is considered an medical emergency.
WARNING SIGNS FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN WITH SHUNTS
www.nhs.uk/conditions/hydrocephalus/
www.harrys-hat.org
Shunt blockage A shunt becoming blocked, called a shunt blockage or shunt failure. This will cause excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to build up inside the brain, leading to symptoms of hydrocephalus. Surgery will be needed to replace the shunt and prevent brain damage.
Symptoms of shunt failure/blockage can include: An unusually large head A tense or bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of a baby’s head) A thin scalp with visible blood vessels Eyes that look downwards (sometimes called sun-setting eyes) Vomiting Sleepiness Poor feeding Irritability Feeling the child is "just not quite right".
If your child experiences any symptoms of shunt blockage/failure you should contact your child’s healthcare team immediately - a shunt blockage/failure is a medical emergency.
Symptoms of shunt infections can include: Redness and tenderness along the length of the shunt High temperature above (38C or more) Headache Abdominal pain (in the case of VP shunts) Irritability or sleepiness in babies.
A shunt infection is considered an medical emergency.
WARNING SIGNS FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN WITH SHUNTS
www.nhs.uk/conditions/hydrocephalus/
www.harrys-hat.org
Shunt blockage A shunt becoming blocked, called a shunt blockage or shunt failure. This will cause excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to build up inside the brain, leading to symptoms of hydrocephalus. Surgery will be needed to replace the shunt and prevent brain damage.
Symptoms of shunt failure/blockage can include: An unusually large head A tense or bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of a baby’s head) A thin scalp with visible blood vessels Eyes that look downwards (sometimes called sun-setting eyes) Vomiting Sleepiness Poor feeding Irritability Feeling the child is "just not quite right".
If your child experiences any symptoms of shunt blockage/failure you should contact your child’s healthcare team immediately - a shunt blockage/failure is a medical emergency.
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