• Problems with the shunt, such as kinking, blockage, or tube separation
• Infection
  • meningitis
  • encephalitis
  • infection of the area to which CSF is shunted
• Intellectual impairment
• Neurologic damage (decrease in movement, sensation, function)
• Physical disabilities
• Complications of surgery

Any symptoms of this disorder should be brought to the health care provider's attention immediately. Call if a child's head is getting larger or there is a change in the appearance of the face, head, or eyes. Also call if the condition deteriorates to the point that the child cannot be cared for in the home.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if emergency symptoms occur, including difficulties with sucking/feeding, high-pitched cry, fever, lethargy or drowsiness, stiff neck (unwillingness to bend or move the neck or head), problems with breathing, severe headache, seizures, irregular heartbeat, or no heartbeat.