Evaluation of the treatment features of post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus in preterm infants: a retrospective analysis of 137 patients

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66636/gmj.v1.i3.a188

Keywords:

Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalu, intraventricular hemorrhage, Ommaya reservoirs, Ventriculoperitoneal shunts, preterm infants, subgaleal shunt

Abstract

Background: Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is one of the most severe complications of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants. PHH develops in 37.1% of infants with grades III–IV IVH and requires timely surgical correction. This study aimed to analyse the clinical characteristics, methods of temporary and permanent CSF flow correction, and outcomes in 137 preterm patients with PHH.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included 137 patients with PHH hospitalised in the neonatal department and neonatal intensive care unit of Morozovskaya Children's City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia (ethics reference No. L035'00115-77/00096790, 2015). Baseline data included gender, gestational age, Apgar scores, IVH grade (Papile classification), and information on temporary and permanent CSF correction methods, valve type, and complications. Descriptive statistics were performed using Python 3.11.

Results: The study comprised 82 (60%) boys and 55 (40%) girls. Mean gestational age was 29.2 ± 3.3 weeks. The predominant IVH grade was III (62%). The main temporary correction methods were subgaleal shunts (61 cases, 44%), external ventricular drainage (30 cases, 22%), and Ommaya reservoirs (12 cases, 9%). Ventriculoperitoneal shunts were most frequently used for permanent correction (80 cases, 58%). Programmable valves were inserted in 77 patients (56%). Complications included hypertension syndrome (62%), retinopathy of prematurity (63%), motor disorders (48%), and seizure syndrome (39%). Complication rates increased with IVH severity.

Conclusion: PHH in preterm infants is characterised by a high incidence of severe IVH, low gestational age, and frequent need for surgical correction. The predominant temporary method in our centre was the subgaleal shunt, consistent with its lower infectious risk in the literature. A multidisciplinary approach and early diagnosis are essential for optimising outcomes.

Keywords: posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus; intraventricular haemorrhage; Ommaya reservoir; ventriculoperitoneal shunt; preterm infants; subgaleal shunt

Author Biographies

Bakhtierdzhon Anvardzhonovich Isoboev , PFUR "Russian Peoples' Friendship University named after Patrice Lumumba. Moscow, Russia,

PFUR, "Russian Peoples' Friendship University named after Patrice Lumumba." Moscow, Russia,

Daniel Encarnación-Santos, People of Frienship University of Russia

Children's City Clinical Hospital, Morozovskaya Children's City Clinical Hospital. Moscow, Russia

Gennady Chmutin, PFUR "Russian Peoples' Friendship University named after Patrice Lumumba. Moscow, Russia,

PFUR "Russian Peoples' Friendship University named after Patrice Lumumba. Moscow, Russia,

Egor Chmutin, PFUR "Russian Peoples' Friendship University named after Patrice Lumumba. Moscow, Russia,

PFUR "Russian Peoples' Friendship University named after Patrice Lumumba. Moscow, Russia,

Emmanuel Batista-Geraldino, Deparment of Neurosurgery, University teaching Hospital, Juan Pablo Pina, San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic

Deparment of Neurosurgery, University teaching Hospital, Juan Pablo Pina, San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic

D.A Ashurov, Republican Scientific Center of Neurosurgery, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Republican Scientific Center of Neurosurgery, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Anastasia Vitalievna Kopteva, Faculty of Medical Sciences, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation;

Faculty of Medical Sciences, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation;

Adam Romanovish Mainer, Children City Clinical Hospital No.9 Named after G.N. Speransky Shmitosky, Moscow Russia

Children City Clinical Hospital No.9 Named after G.N. Speransky Shmitosky, Moscow Russia

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Published

08/22/2026

How to Cite

Isoboev , B. A., Encarnación-Santos, D., Chmutin, G., Umerenkov , V., Chmutin, E., Batista-Geraldino, E., … Mainer, A. R. (2026). Evaluation of the treatment features of post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus in preterm infants: a retrospective analysis of 137 patients. Georgian Medical Journal, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.66636/gmj.v1.i3.a188

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2026): Surgical Innovation, Paediatrics, and Environmental Health

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Original Research

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Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Encarnación-Santos; Bakhtierdzhon Anvardzhonovich Isoboev ; Gennady Chmutin, V.N Umerenkov , Egor Chmutin, Emmanuel Batista-Geraldino, D.A Ashurov, Anastasia Vitalievna Kopteva, Adam Romanovish Mainer

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