Hi,

I have a 15 month old son with complicated Hydrocephalus. It was caused by bacterial meningitis at 3 weeks of age (he was 8 weeks prem). He had his first VP shunt placed when he was only 9 weeks old, he wasn't even the size of a newborn yet. He began having seizures a month or so after the first shunt was placed, we assumed it was due to him outgrowing existing seizure meds and damage caused by the meningitis. An MRI revealed that the Hydrocephalus extended beyond the area the shunt was in and that he would possibly need drainage to 5-6 areas. With surgery they were able to bring this down to 4, and he now has 2 VP shunts each draining 2 areas if that makes sense! He has had 17 shunt related surgeries, 2 infections and we have spent a lot of time in hospital. The longest we have been home is 10 weeks (yesterday, and it is wonderful!). It has been a long difficult road, but DS is an amazing little boy who is always happy and smiling so he keeps us going when times are tough! If you would like to chat more feel free to PM me.

Take care