PROGNOSIS IN INFANTILE HYDROCEPHALUS - FOLLOW-UP IN ADULT PATIENTS, BORN 1946-1955

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (2) , 81-93
Abstract
Patients [26] with infantile hydrocephalus were re-examined at ages ranging from 21-32 yr. Operations had been performed in 11, but abnormal head growth continued post-operatively in 9. Of the patients 1/3 lead a normal life, while 1/2 of the patients are mentally deficient. All patients have neurological signs, poor dexterity and clumsiness. Psychological testing reveals uneven profiles, in 4 patients with performance IQ considerably lower than verbal IQ. Computerized tomography demonstrates all degrees of hydrocephalus with no correlation between ventricular-brain ratio and IQ or between ventricular-brain ratio and operative procedures. Full otoneurological investigation shows differential-caloric examination to be abnormal in 60%, although none of the patients have complaints referring to the vestibular system.