Neurodevelopmental Rehabilitation in an Infant with Communicating Hydrocephalus and Periventricular Leukomalacia: A Case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46858/vimsjpt.7210Keywords:
Communicating hydrocephalus, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, physiotherapy, developmental delay, preterm infant, neurodevelopmental therapyAbstract
Background: Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition caused by excess accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain’s ventricles, often leading to increased intracranial pressure and developmental delays.
Case Presentation: This case report presents a preterm, low birth weight male infant diagnosed with communicating hydrocephalus, accompanied by a porencephalic cyst and periventricular leukomalacia. Clinical findings included seizures, macrocephaly, absent primitive reflexes, and global developmental delay. A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was placed to divert CSF and control intracranial pressure.
Intervention: Physiotherapy interventions focused on neurodevelopmental therapy, sensory integration, trunk control, fine and gross motor training, and parental education. Post-intervention, the infant showed improvements in motor skills, postural control, and balance.
Results: Post-intervention, the infant demonstrated notable improvements in motor performance, postural control, and balance. GMFM scores improved from 59% to 69%, while PBS scores increased from 2/56 to 15/56.
Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk infants with hydrocephalus and associated brain injuries.
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