Long-term functional evaluation of congenital hydrocephalus in infants and children.

In the past 20 years, 43 patients with congenital hydrocephalus underwent surgical treatment for hydrocephalus in our clinic (Myelomeningocele, Dandy-Walker syndrome, holoprosencephaly and hydranencephaly, which are frequently associated with dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, were excluded). The gestational stage at the onset of hydrocephalus was assessed on the basis of the morphology of the corpus callosum. The patients were then divided into four groups according to stage of onset. A relation between the stage of onset and the long-term functional scores was demonstrated. The earlier the gestational stage at which the hydrocephalus occurred, the lower was the long-term functional score.