Paediatric Hydrocephalus Treatment in India
About Paediatric Hydrocephalus
Key Highlights
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Effectively reduces dangerous pressure on the developing brain.Prevents or minimizes long-term neurological damage and developmental delays.Can be performed using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques in suitable candidates.Shunt systems are adjustable to accommodate a child's growth.Significantly improves quality of life and allows for normal childhood development.
Who is this surgery for?
- Congenital hydrocephalus present at birth (e.g., aqueductal stenosis, Dandy-Walker malformation).
- Hydrocephalus acquired after birth due to intraventricular hemorrhage (common in premature infants).
- Hydrocephalus caused by infections like meningitis or encephalitis.
- Hydrocephalus secondary to brain tumors blocking CSF pathways.
- Post-traumatic hydrocephalus following a head injury.
- Rapidly increasing head circumference in an infant with bulging fontanelles.
- Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure: vomiting, irritability, lethargy, sunsetting eyes, seizures, or developmental regression.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive neurological examination and measurement of head circumference.
- Imaging studies: Ultrasound (for infants with open fontanelles), CT scan, or MRI of the brain to confirm diagnosis and plan surgery.
- Pre-operative blood tests and assessments to ensure fitness for anesthesia.
- Discussion with the paediatric neurosurgeon about the specific procedure (shunt vs. ETV), risks, and benefits.
- Fasting as instructed by the anesthesiologist, typically 6-8 hours for solids.
- Administration of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection of the shunt or surgical site, requiring antibiotic treatment or shunt replacement.
- Shunt malfunction: blockage, under-drainage, or over-drainage of CSF.
- Bleeding (hemorrhage) within or around the brain.
- Seizures.
- Damage to surrounding brain structures or blood vessels.
- Abdominal complications from shunt tubing (e.g., perforation, infection, hernia).
- Future surgeries may be needed as the child grows or if the shunt fails.
- Risks associated with general anesthesia.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or neurosurgical ward for close monitoring.
- Pain management with appropriate medications.
- Monitoring for signs of infection, shunt malfunction, or changes in neurological status.
- Incision care instructions to keep the surgical sites clean and dry.
- Gradual return to normal feeding and activities as tolerated.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the neurosurgeon for head circumference checks, developmental assessments, and imaging.
- Parents/caregivers will be educated on warning signs of shunt problems (e.g., fever, vomiting, headache, irritability, swelling along shunt tract).
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Typical hospital stay:
5-10 days
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Expected recovery time:
4-6 weeks for initial recovery; full neurological recovery is monitored over months to years
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering paediatric hydrocephalus in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for paediatric hydrocephalus in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform paediatric hydrocephalus. MediFyr helps you compare neurosurgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for paediatric hydrocephalus compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 150 Thousand – 500 Thousand | 5-10 days | ~ 4-6 weeks for initial recovery; full neurological recovery is monitored over months to years | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 525 Thousand – 1.75 Million | 5-10 days | ~ 4-6 weeks for initial recovery; full neurological recovery is monitored over months to years | Know More |
Top hospitals for Paediatric Hydrocephalus in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing paediatric hydrocephalus.
Hyderabad, India
67 Doctors
Navya Ali is a 6-month-old baby...
Navya Ali is a 6-month-old baby girl, the first child of young parents who immigrated to Canada from Pakistan a year ago. Her mother, Ayesha, first noticed Navya's head seemed to be growing faster than other babies at her playgroup. Over a few weeks, Navya became increasingly irritable, had poor feeding, and developed a persistent, high-pitched cry. Her soft spot (fontanelle) felt tense and bulging. Their paediatrician, concerned about the rapid head circumference increase, ordered an ultrasound which confirmed communicating hydrocephalus. The paediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Chen, explained that cerebrospinal fluid was building up in Navya's brain ventricles, causing pressure. He recommended an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV), a procedure to create a new drainage pathway inside the brain, avoiding the need for an implanted shunt. The surgery lasted two hours. For Ayesha and her husband, the wait was agonizing, filled with prayers and fear for their daughter's future. Post-surgery, Navya spent a night in the PICU for monitoring. Within days, her irritability lessened, and she began feeding better. A follow-up MRI showed successful fluid drainage and decreased ventricular size. The emotional journey was one of profound terror transforming into cautious hope. Ayesha describes the moment she saw Navya smile again after surgery as 'the sun breaking through the darkest clouds.' They remain vigilant with follow-ups, but Navya is now meeting her developmental milestones, a happy, curious infant whose future is bright.
Neurosurgeons for Paediatric Hydrocephalus
Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform paediatric hydrocephalus and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 22 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 29 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada