Factors Affecting Infection Risk and Revision Rates in Shunted Pediatric Hydrocephalus: 10 Years of Data from a Single Academic Center

To identify clinical variables associated with ventricular shunt infection and shunt failure in pediatric hydrocephalus. Patients ≤ 18 years treated with ventricular shunts between 2013 and 2024 were identified from one institution’s electronic medical record. Children with a confirmed diagnosis of hydrocephalus and ≥ 6 months of postoperative follow-up were included. Primary and revision shunt surgeries were included. Records were manually reviewed for clinical variables. Statistical analyses were performed using R (version 4.2.3). The dataset included 474 surgeries, 146 primary and 328 revisions, undergone by 226 patients. Infection necessitating removal of a previously placed shunt occurred following 3.59