Brain growth and development after two treatments for infant post-infectious hydrocephalus in Uganda
Neurocognitive outcomes and changes in brain and CSF volume after treatment of post-infectious hydrocephalus in Ugandan infants by shunting or ETV/CPC: a randomized prospective trial
This trial compares two surgical treatments—shunt and ETV/CPC—for infants with post-infectious hydrocephalus to see which leads to better brain growth and long-term development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11383392 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your baby had post-infectious hydrocephalus, doctors in this project randomly assign infants to receive either a shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) and follow them over several years. The children were treated at CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda and are followed into primary school age to capture longer-term outcomes. The team uses brain imaging to measure brain and CSF volumes and performs detailed neurocognitive tests at multiple visits. They will also look at treatment failures, timing of brain growth, and the relative costs of the two approaches to help guide future care decisions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Infants diagnosed with post-infectious hydrocephalus treated at CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda, particularly those treated in early infancy (under about 6 months of age), are the ideal candidates for this follow-up work.
Not a fit: Children without post-infectious hydrocephalus, those with hydrocephalus from other causes, or families unable to attend follow-up in Uganda are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could show which surgery better supports brain growth and development and inform treatment choices for infants with post-infectious hydrocephalus.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier randomized results from the same team showed no clear difference between the two surgeries through 24 months but also revealed that brain volume, not CSF volume, tracked with development, so this longer-term follow-up is building on those findings.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schiff, Steven J — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Schiff, Steven J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.