Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Shunt Survival in Premature Infants with Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus: A Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network Study.

Abstract

To examine whether necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with time to shunt failure (revision or infection) in infants born premature who have posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) and cerebrospinal fluid ventriculoperitoneal shunting. In this retrospective, case-control study using the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network Core Data Project registry, we identified children <6 months of age who underwent shunt placement for PHH. The outcomes were time to shunt failure, frequency of shunt failure at 6, 12, and 24 months, and reasons for failure. Among the 412 patients identified, 76 were diagnosed with NEC (18%). NEC was not associated with time to shunt failure (P = .353) and was not an independent predictor of shunt failure (P = .68). Similar percentages of children experienced shunt failure at 6 (P = .12), 12 (P = .26), and 24 (P = .35) months. The reasons for shunt failure did not differ between cohorts. Our study did not demonstrate differences in shunt survival between children <6 months of age requiring cerebrospinal fluid diversion secondary to PHH who had NEC and those who did not. Thus, peritoneal shunt placement may be suitable for children with NEC despite having abdominal interventions.