Guidelines
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (VPS) Infection

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (VPS) Infection

Diagnosis

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) Infection has to be considered especially within one year of shunt insertion, if the child has following:

  • Fever
  • Malfunction of the VPS
  • Abdominal symptoms e.g. pain, distension
  • Low gestational age and preterm birth
  • Age at shunt placement (higher risk at younger age)
  • Etiology of hydrocephalus (increased risk after IVH, infectious etiology, or children with malignant disease, chemotherapy-associated immunosuppression or long-term steroids)
  • Postoperative CSF leaks caused by impaired wound healing and wound dehiscence
  • Duration of surgical procedure
  • Ranges from 15 days to 12 months after shunt placement
  • In 80% of the infections occur within the first 3 months, 90% within the first 6 months
  • Infections due to Gram-positive bacteria (CoNS, S. aureus) mostly start within the first 8 weeks after surgery