Treatment of hydrocephalus in premature infants with intraventricular hemorrhage - placing Omaya reservoir: A series of 30 patients

Introduction. We report a series of 30 patients with spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and hydrocephalus, in which is placed subcutaneous (Omaya) tank at the University Children‘s Hospital in Belgrade from March 2006 to March 2011. Results. Predictors of poor outcome in treatment in getting Omaya reservoirs are low birth weight (t=2.560, p=0.016), low Apgar score (t=3.059, p=0.005), an extended number of days on mechanical ventilation (Z=4,404 , p< 0.001), the presence of peripartal asphyxia (X2=9.977, p=0.002) and cardio-respiratory arrest (X2=12.804 , p< 0.001). Conclusion. The outcome of treatment of hydrocephalus caused by spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants is worst in perinatology. There is no consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of posthemorrhage hydrocephalus, our results suggest that the main prediction factor is preoperative condition of the child.