Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in low-birth-weight infants: Treatment by serial lumbar punctures

Lu Ann Papile, Jerome Burstein, Rochelle Burstein, Herbert Koffler, Beverly L. Koops, John D. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We have performed weekly computed tomographic brain scans on 28 surviving low-birth-weight infants with cerebral intraventricular hemorrhage and acute ventricular dilatation. Evolving hydrocephalus was observed in 15 infants. Twelve of the 15 infants were treated by removing large volumes of cerebrospinal fluid with serial lumbar punctures. Arrest in the progression of hydrocephalus was evident in 11 of the 12. Clinical hydrocephalus requiring surgical intervention occurred in one of the treated infants and in all three untreated infants. No complications of serial lumbar punctures were noted, whereas shunt-related morbidity was 100%. Our results suggest that serial lumbar punctures are effective in arresting the development of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)273-277
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Pediatrics
Volume97
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1980

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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