VP shunt - care at home

A VP shunt is a small tube that has been placed in your child’s head. The shunt carries extra fluid from the head to the abdomen where it is absorbed.

Signs that the shunt may not be working

If your baby has one or more of the following symptoms it could mean that the shunt may not be working, or it is infected,
Please take your baby to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately or call 000 if your baby is experiencing any of the following:

• Is sleepy (hard to wake up) or not as alert
• Poor feeding
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head
• Irritability (cries easily or without reason)
• Seizures
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal distension
• Fever
• Tiredness (sleeping more than usual, difficult to wake up, does not want to play as usual)
• ‘Sunset’ eyes (when eyes appear to be always looking down and are not able to look up)
• Puffiness or redness of the skin around the tube and the incision sites
• Fluid coming out of the incision site on the head or abdomen.

Please call 6456 2222 for more information and advice.

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