Endoscopic treatment vs shunt for infant hydrocephalus
Official title: Endoscopic versus Shunt Treatment of Hydrocephalus in Infants
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11608583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Infants with hydrocephalus may be treated with a shunt or a shunt-free procedure called ETV+CPC, and this study compares the two to see if the shunt-free option can keep cognitive outcomes similar.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $25,170 |
| NIH project number | 3U01NS107486-07S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11608583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants ≤12 months corrected age with hydrocephalus treated at major pediatric neurosurgery centers in North America.
✕Less likely to help
Some infants may not be suitable for ETV+CPC or may not experience non-inferior cognitive outcomes.
What this research studies
This project focuses on infants up to 12 months old with hydrocephalus who require treatment at major pediatric centers in North America. It compares endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV+CPC) to the standard CSF shunt, with the goal of finding a treatment that avoids long-term shunt problems. The study uses Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development to measure cognitive outcomes 12 months after surgery and tests whether ETV+CPC is non-inferior to shunting within a 1.5-point margin. The research builds on prior safety data and family preferences for shunt-free options, aiming to guide future treatment choices for infants. If successful, results could influence pediatric neurosurgical practice and reduce lifelong shunt-related costs and complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Children may avoid long-term shunt complications and experience comparable cognitive development with the shunt-free option.
How similar studies have gone: Prior data show ETV+CPC can be safe and viable, but cognitive outcomes versus shunt require definitive non-inferiority testing.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kestle, John — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Kestle, John
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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.