Clinical and economic results of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children.

Abstract

AIM:

This study evaluated the clinical and economic outcomes of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Patients diagnosed with ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections for the first time between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2011 were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, and economic data were analyzed retrospectively. A cost coefficient (total cost/follow-up period) and hospitalization coefficient (duration of hospitalization/follow-up period) were calculated for each patient.

RESULTS:

In total, 132 shunt infections (mean follow-up, 734 ± 367 days) were evaluated in 51 patients (mean age, 16.6 ± 9.22 months; median age, 3 months; range, 1-88 months; 28 females, 21 males). In 23 patients (45%), shunt infections were seen in the first 2 months following shunt placement. Seven patients died during the follow-up. There was a negative correlation between the age at diagnosis and the hospitalization duration (p = 0.005, r = -0.381). The average cost of hospitalization per patient was 6397 ± 4338 TL. There was a negative correlation between the cost index and the age at diagnosis (p = 0.04, r = -0.292).

CONCLUSION:

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections have significant medical and economic impacts. Younger the diagnosis of patients, the hospitalization duration and treatment cost were higher.

• Authors: Ali Kanik, Seda Sirin, Engin Kose, Kayı Eliacik, Murat Anil, Mehmet Helvaci
• Journal: Turkish neurosurgery (Turk Neurosurg) Vol. 25 Issue 1 Pg. 58-62 ( 2015) ISSN: 1019-5149 [Print] Turkey
• PMID: 25640546 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Age Factors
• Child
• Child, Hospitalized
• Child, Preschool
• Costs and Cost Analysis
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Length of Stay (economics)
• Male
• Meningitis, Bacterial (economics, epidemiology, etiology, microbiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Socioeconomic Factors
• Turkey (epidemiology)
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (adverse effects)