What Are The After Effects Of A VP Shunting In An Infant?

Posted on Mon, 4 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 4 Jan 2016 Answered on

Wed, 10 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a 15 year old female who was born at 25 weeks gestational, received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt around 3 months old. The shunt has never been replaced, but was checked every year until 2013. This child has Cerebral Palsy, non verbal, seizure disorder and blind to name a few. I was wondering what symptoms occur when this type of shunt begins to fail. Thank you in advance for your time and knowledge.

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms are pressure related

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am Dr Mittal.
I have been working with neurology for 2 to 3 years.
From the query , I had a feeling that you are a doctor too.
The symptoms of the child will be related to intracranial pressure.
Commonly meningismus is a common sign.
Altered sensorium headache vomiting are the common symptoms to expect.
Drowsiness and focal neurological deficits can be expected.
I hope that the information contained in this message will be able to help you.
Best of luck. Dr Mittal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar