Kevser ELİK, Cüneyt TAYMAN, Harun DEMİRCİ
Türkiye Çocuk Hastalıkları Dergisi - 2026;20(3):149-153
Objective: Hydrocephalus is a complex neurological disorder affecting the central nervous system, which can lead to severe neurodevelopmental complications despite early diagnosis and treatment. Although advances in diagnostic and therapeutic methods have been achieved, managing hydrocephalus remains challenging. Neural tube defects are among the most common causes of hydrocephalus, highlighting the importance of prenatal diagnosis. Treatment often involves surgical intervention, making imaging techniques and timely surgical management critical. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors, etiologies, and treatment outcomes of neonates diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on neonates diagnosed with hydrocephalus and followed at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between September 2019 and January 2023. Neonates who died in the delivery room or during transfer, whose records were incomplete, or whose families were unreachable were excluded. Clinical, demographic, and treatment data were obtained from hospital records and analyzed. Results: Out of 115 patients screened, 104 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 42% were born prematurely. The prevalence of congenital hydrocephalus was 74%, post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus 24.1%, and post-infectious hydrocephalus 1.9%. Female infants comprised 58.7% of cases, and 87.5% were delivered via cesarean section. Among mothers, 42.5% reported regular folic acid intake during pregnancy. Parental consanguinity was noted in 24.5% of cases. Additional anomalies were present in 74% of patients, with 67.3% receiving an antenatal diagnosis. Epilepsy was observed in 36.5% of patients, and 39.9% of these were treated with antiepileptic drugs. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts were placed in many patients, with 44.7% requiring shunt revision, predominantly due to infection (33.7%). Referral cases accounted for 17.3%, mostly post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, with a 72% epilepsy rate and 25.3% antiepileptic treatment initiation in this subgroup. Conclusion: This study provides comprehensive insights into the epidemiology, familial risk factors, etiological profiles, and treatment outcomes of progressive hydrocephalus diagnosed antenatally or postnatally. The findings offer valuable data to inform improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neonates affected by hydrocephalus.
