Clinical and economic results of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children.

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.