Can you feel a VP shunt?

You won’t be able to see the catheter because it will be under your skin. However, you may be able to feel the shunt catheter along your neck. Once all the parts of the shunt are connected, it will start draining the excess CSF as needed to reduce the pressure in your brain.

What are the 2 most serious complications of children who have VP shunts?

Although obstruction and infection are the most common causes of shunt malfunction, other complications can occur as well, including bowel perforation, pseudocyst formation, and over-draining, which can lead to subdural hematoma formation.

What kinds of problems do children with hydrocephalus have?

They can include:

• A full or bulging soft spot on the top of your baby’s head (fontanel)
• Increasing head size (circumference)
• Seizures.
• Bulging eyes and not being able to look up when facing forward.
• Visible scalp veins.
• Irritability.
• High-pitched cry.
• Poor feeding.

What does a shunt malfunction feel like?

Symptoms of a shunt malfunction may be obvious, redness over the shunt, headache, sleepiness, vomiting, or visual changes. Symptoms may also be subtle, change in behavior, change in school performance.

Can a child with a shunt play sports?

Shunts are, in fact, difficult to break or dislodge and most sports – with few exceptions – should be encouraged. Children with Hydrocephalus, like all children, should be encouraged to try a variety of games and sports.

What can you not do with a VP shunt?

Do not touch the valve on your head. It is okay for you to lie on the side of your head with the shunt. For 6 weeks, do not do any activity that may cause you to hit your head. You will probably be able to return to work in less than 1 week.

What are the complications of hydrocephalus?

What are possible complications of hydrocephalus?

• Visual changes. Occlusion of posterior cerebral arteries secondary to downward transtentorial herniation. Chronic papilledema injuring the optic disc. Dilatation of the third ventricle with compression of optic chiasm.
• Cognitive dysfunction.
• Incontinence.
• Gait changes.

What are the side effects of having a shunt?

Shunt infection

• redness and tenderness along the line of the shunt.
• a high temperature.
• headache.
• vomiting.
• neck stiffness.
• tummy pain if the shunt drains into your tummy.
• irritability or sleepiness in babies.

Can hydrocephalus cause learning difficulties?

How hydrocephalus may affect learning and behaviour. Hydrocephalus can affect children’s concentration, working memory, understanding of language and their processing of information. All of these, potentially, can have an impact on behaviour. If you can’t remember instructions then you won’t be able to carry them out.

Does hydrocephalus stunt growth?

In small children and infants, hydrocephalus can affect the head by increasing its size to accommodate the excess fluid buildup. Hydrocephalus may also slow growth in children as well have an impact on facial formation and eye spacing.

What are the symptoms of VP shunt malfunction?

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center provides the following warning signs of shunt malfunction:

• Headaches.
• Vomiting.
• Lethargy (sleepiness)
• Irritability.
• Swelling or redness along the shunt tract.
• Decreased school performance.
• Periods of confusion.
• Seizures.

Can you do gymnastics with a shunt?

Gymnastics and dance An excellent activity to improve balance, coordination and fitness, this should be fine for people with VP shunts. Shunts won’t drain when the head is lower than the distal (bottom) end of the shunt, so being upside down for any length of time will usually be very uncomfortable, and best avoided.

What are the signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants?

Signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants include: a rapid increase in head size an unusually large head a bulge on the soft spot (fontanel) on the top of the head

What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus and shunt infection?

In addition to the common symptoms of hydrocephalus, infections from a shunt may also produce symptoms such as a low-grade fever, soreness of the neck or shoulder muscles, and redness or tenderness along the shunt tract.

What do you need to know about hydrocephalus?

Key points about hydrocephalus 1 A baby with hydrocephalus has extra cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain. 2 This is a rare condition. 3 A healthcare provider may diagnose this condition during an ultrasound in pregnancy. 4 The goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure inside your baby’s head.

What is the difference between hydrocephalus and CSF?

Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the ventricles (cavities) deep within the brain. This excess fluid causes the ventricles to widen, putting pressure on the brain’s tissues. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the clear, colorless fluid that protects and cushions the brain and spine.