Endoscopic versus Shunt Treatment of Hydrocephalus in Infants
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11608585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study compares two treatments for hydrocephalus in infants to see which keeps babies cognitively on par with the standard shunt treatment.
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) | $20,739 |
| NIH project number | 3U01NS107486-07S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11608585 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants ≤12 months corrected age with hydrocephalus treated at participating tertiary pediatric neurosurgery centers in North America.
✕Less likely to help
Infants for whom ETV+CPC is not feasible or fails to meet cognitive non-inferiority criteria may not experience a benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at infants under one year with hydrocephalus and compares endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV+CPC) against the traditional CSF shunt. It is designed as a multicenter effort across North American pediatric neurosurgery centers to measure cognitive outcomes 12 months after treatment using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. The goal is to determine if ETV+CPC is not worse than shunt by a small margin, potentially offering a shunt-free option for families. The study will inform clinicians and families about risks, benefits, and long-term cognitive expectations of each approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could support safer, shunt-free options for infants with hydrocephalus and improve long-term cognitive outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest ETV+CPC is safe and viable, but cognitive outcomes relative to shunt require clarification in a larger, non-inferiority trial.
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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Endoscopic treatment vs shunt for infant hydrocephalus
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.
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A study uses frog embryos to test how human genetic changes might cause congenital hydrocephalus and related heart defects, with the goal of understanding why these conditions occur.
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A new NIH grant aims to adjust the choroid plexus, the brain’s CSF factory, to restore normal CSF flow and reduce hydrocephalus-related problems.
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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.