Brain growth and thinking outcomes after two treatments for post-infectious hydrocephalus in Ugandan children
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 project follows children treated as infants for post-infectious hydrocephalus to compare long-term brain growth and thinking skills after shunt surgery versus endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization.
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-11160768 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your child would be followed from infancy into early school age to track brain growth and developmental progress after treatment for post-infectious hydrocephalus. The original trial randomly assigned infants to either shunt surgery or ETV/CPC, and this renewal continues to follow those same children for longer-term outcomes. Participants will receive periodic brain imaging, measurements of cerebrospinal fluid and brain volumes, and detailed neurocognitive testing during clinic visits. The team will also compare long-term costs and outcomes to help guide future treatment choices.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children who had post-infectious hydrocephalus treated as infants—especially those treated at CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda—who can attend long-term follow-up visits are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children without post-infectious hydrocephalus, those treated for other hydrocephalus causes, or those unable to return for follow-up visits are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help doctors choose the treatment that best supports brain growth and thinking in children with post-infectious hydrocephalus.
How similar studies have performed: An earlier randomized trial through 24 months found no clear difference between the two treatments for failure rate or early development but showed brain volume strongly relates to development and suggested longer follow-up may reveal differences.
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.