Psychiatric Sequelae in Children Treated Operatively for Hydrocephalus in Infancy

Abstract

This study reports on the prevalence of psychiatric disorder in 45 children of primary-school age who had been treated operatively for hydrocephalus in infancy. A high rate of disturbance was found; presumably this relates not only to neurological factors but also to the child''s reaction to his handicaps and to the attitudes of significant people toward him. The symptomatology was predominantly neurotic and since emotional disorder can be helped by psychological methods it is argued that early psychiatric intervention could improve the quality of life for these children.