{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]],"date-time":"2026-08-25T12:22:54Z","timestamp":1787660574667,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":22,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]],"date-time":"2026-08-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787616000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Children"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a serious neurological sequela of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature infants and remains one of the leading indications for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement. Evaluating possible VP shunt-related complications can be challenging because clinical manifestations are often nonspecific, neuroimaging may initially appear unchanged, and microbiological cultures may remain negative. We report the case of a 19-month-old male born at 28 weeks\u2019 gestation who developed Grade IV germinal matrix\/intraventricular hemorrhage with bilateral intraparenchymal extension, early periventricular cystic leukomalacia, and post-hemorrhagic communicating hydrocephalus requiring multiple cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures culminating in long-term VP shunt dependence. His medical history was notable for recurrent neonatal meningitis, secondary epilepsy with previous episodes of status epilepticus, secondary adrenal insufficiency, and severe global developmental delay. He presented with fever, recurrent coffee-ground vomiting, abdominal distension, progressive lethargy, reduced responsiveness, and localized erythematous swelling over the cranial VP shunt reservoir, raising concern for possible shunt-related pathology. During hospitalization, he deteriorated with status epilepticus and respiratory failure, with clinical concern for increased intracranial pressure, requiring admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Laboratory investigations demonstrated leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, markedly elevated CSF protein, and CSF glucose of 2.0 mmol\/L, for which a paired serum glucose value was unavailable, while repeated blood, urine, wound, and CSF cultures remained negative. Initial computed tomography (CT) demonstrated no significant interval change in the chronic hydrocephalus despite progressive neurological deterioration; however, serial neuroimaging later revealed progressive bilateral extra-axial fluid collections with radiological features suggestive of an evolving subacute subdural hemorrhage. The patient was managed with empirical broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, aggressive seizure control, stress-dose corticosteroids, respiratory support, and continuous multidisciplinary monitoring. His neurological and respiratory status subsequently improved, and he returned to his pre-admission neurological baseline before discharge with planned further evaluation at a tertiary pediatric neurosurgical center. This case highlights the diagnostic uncertainty surrounding acute neurological deterioration in a child with shunt-dependent PHH. VP shunt-related infection or malfunction remained important but unconfirmed diagnostic considerations, alongside competing or potentially overlapping contributors including status epilepticus, evolving extra-axial collections, respiratory infection, and endocrine or metabolic decompensation. No single etiology was definitively established. The case emphasizes the importance of serial neurological assessment, consideration of alternative diagnoses, repeat neuroimaging, and multidisciplinary evaluation when initial investigations do not establish the cause of deterioration.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/children13091138","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]],"date-time":"2026-08-25T11:27:19Z","timestamp":1787657239000},"page":"1138","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Acute Neurological Deterioration in a Child with Shunt-Dependent Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus: A Case Report"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-8083-0491","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ahmad","family":"Kharoufeh","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Riyam","family":"Aljorani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mohammed","family":"Dalbah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pediatrics, RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Leen","family":"Gafar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Haidy","family":"Alzaghal","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Malak","family":"Abedi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mohmed","family":"Doukarli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9379-7447","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Subhranshu Sekhar","family":"Kar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1539-6162","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rajani","family":"Dube","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6948-3619","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mohamed Anas","family":"Patni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Community Medicine, RAK College of Medical Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-8874-7291","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hussein","family":"Eleimy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pediatrics, Fujairah Hospital, Fujairah P.O. Box 11172, United Arab Emirates"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.3171\/2014.7.PEDS14322","article-title":"Pediatric hydrocephalus: Systematic literature review and evidence-based guidelines. Part 2: Management of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in premature infants","volume":"14","author":"Mazzola","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Neurosurg. 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