Post-Traumatic Hydrocephalus in Children: A Retrospective Study in 42 Pediatric Hospitals Using the Pediatric Health Information System

Background: Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a potentially treatable cause of poor recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) that remains poorly understood, particularly among children.

Objective: To better understand the risk factors for pediatric PTH using a large, multi-institutional database.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative data from 42 pediatric hospitals participating in the Pediatric Health Information System. All patients ≤21 yr surviving a hospitalization with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code for TBI were identified. The primary outcome was PTH, defined by an ICD-9-CM procedure code for surgical management of hydrocephalus within 6 mo. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results: We identified 91 583 patients ≤21 yr with TBI, 846 of whom developed PTH. Odds of PTH were significantly higher in children <1 yr compared to older age groups. A total of 48.7% of PTH cases were victims of abuse (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.16-3.18). PTH was more common after craniotomy (aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.30-1.97). Craniectomy without early cranioplasty was associated with markedly increased odds of PTH (aOR 3.67, 95% CI 2.66-5.07), an effect not seen in those undergoing cranioplasty within 30 d (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 0.75-1.89).

Conclusion: PTH was seen in 0.9% of children who sustained a TBI and was more common in those <1 yr. Severe injury, abuse, and craniectomy with delayed cranioplasty were associated with greatly increased likelihood of PTH. Early cranioplasty in children who require craniectomy may reduce the risk for PTH.