Retrospective analysis of neonatal hydrocephalus over the past 12 years

Background Neonatal hydrocephalus is a serious neurological disease, however, with the progress of medical technology, and the increasing survival rate of extremely premature infants, its incidence rate, etiology and diagnosis and treatment have also undergone great changes. In this study, we aimed to summarize the above clinical changes of neonatal hydrocephalus at our hospital over the past 12 years to provide a reference for clinical practice. Methods The medical records of infants with neonatal hydrocephalus admitted to the neonatal unit of Peking University Third Hospital from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2021, were retrospectively examined. For comparative analysis, the infants were divided according to the time of admission into a group for the first 6 years and one for the latter 6 years. We compared the gestational age, birth weight, etiology, treatment, and prognosis of two groups. Results Sixty-two patients (28 in the first 6 years; 34 in the latter 6 years) were diagnosed with neonatal hydrocephalus. Their gestational ages ranged from 25 to 39 ^+ 6 weeks (median, 30 weeks), and their birth weights ranged from 600 to 4046 g (median, 1255 g). The gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in the latter 6-year group than in the first 6-year group. There was a significant increase in severe periventricular–intraventricular hemorrhage in infants and cerebral parenchymal hemorrhage in the latter 6-year group. In terms of surgical treatment, there are more applications of Venturar Access Device(VADs)in the latter 6-year group. Twenty-one infants (35%) died after treatment withdrawal. Of the surviving infants, 22 had normal development, and 19 had developmental delay. Conclusion Gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in the latter 6-year group than in the first 6-year group, and there was a significant increase in severe intracranial hemorrhage and cerebral parenchymal hemorrhage in this group.