Hydrocephalus Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Conditions We Treat

We care for children with the full spectrum of hydrocephalus-related conditions — from before birth through young adulthood. Our expertise includes both common and rare causes, as well as complex cases referred from across the country for second opinions:

Prenatal and Early-Life Conditions

• Hydrocephalus associated with myelomeningocele (spina bifida), including prenatal counseling and fetoscopic repair to reduce the risk of hydrocephalus before birth
• Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity
• Congenital hydrocephalus (present at birth)
• Dandy–Walker malformation
• Aqueductal stenosis

Acquired Hydrocephalus

• Trauma-related hydrocephalus
• Infection-related hydrocephalus (e.g., meningitis, ventriculitis)
• Post-tumor or post-surgical hydrocephalus

Associated Neurologic Conditions

• Hydrocephalus related to Chiari malformations
• Hydrocephalus caused by brain tumors or arachnoid cysts
• Hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage

Other Presentations

• Complex or unclear diagnoses requiring advanced evaluation and second opinions

About Our Team

Our Hydrocephalus Program is built on collaboration. Each child’s care plan is shaped by a team of specialists who all bring deep experience in the complexities of hydrocephalus. Working side by side, we combine our expertise to provide care that is both highly coordinated and personalized to each child’s needs.

Our team includes:

• Pediatric Neurosurgeons: Perform the full spectrum of surgical treatments — from ETV/CPC to minimally invasive neuroendoscopy — and guide families through decision-making at every stage.
• Neonatologists: Lead care for premature infants and newborns diagnosed with hydrocephalus, often beginning within the first hours of life
• Fetal Medicine Specialists: Provide prenatal counseling and delivery planning for babies diagnosed before birth.
• Neurologists: Support diagnostic evaluation, manage seizure disorders and monitor ongoing neurologic health.
• Complex Care Physicians: Coordinate long-term management for children with multiple medical needs, ensuring care plans are comprehensive and sustainable.
• Spina Bifida Program Team: Deliver specialized care for children with myelomeningocele, including those treated prenatally.
• Nurse Coordinators: Serve as a consistent point of contact, helping families navigate appointments, procedures and resources.
• Developmental Pediatricians and Therapists: Support motor, cognitive and social development to help each child reach their fullest potential.

Treatment Options

Treatment for hydrocephalus is never one-size-fits-all. We tailor every plan to the child’s diagnosis, age and overall health - and to the needs and goals of their family. 

For families with a prenatal diagnosis, we work closely with the Nationwide Children’s Fetal Center to provide counseling, coordinate delivery planning, and, when possible, take steps before birth to reduce the risk or severity of hydrocephalus.

Surgical Options

Our neurosurgeons offer the full range of surgical approaches, choosing the one best suited for each child’s condition:

• Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement: A reliable and time-tested option for safely diverting excess cerebrospinal fluid.
• Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV): Creates a new pathway for fluid drainage, avoiding the need for an implanted shunt in select patients.
• ETV with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV-CPC): Especially beneficial for certain infants, combining ETV with reduction of fluid production.
• Revision or replacement of shunt systems: Prompt intervention when a shunt is not functioning as intended.
• Neuroendoscopic procedures for obstructive causes: Minimally invasive approaches to treat specific blockages within the brain’s fluid pathways.

Our surgical techniques are informed by active research within our Institute for Genomic Medicine - including the Isaacs Lab, which is uncovering critical insights into cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. This means families benefit from treatments that reflect the latest scientific advances.

Non-Surgical Care

For some children, hydrocephalus can be managed without immediate surgery. We provide:

• Ongoing imaging surveillance to track fluid levels and brain development
• Neurodevelopmental monitoring to support learning, motor skills and quality of life
• Coordination with Complex Care, rehabilitation and other specialists to optimize long-term outcomes

Why Choose Us

Families and providers trust the Hydrocephalus Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital because we offer:

• Care from before birth through young adulthood: including prenatal counseling and fetoscopic spina bifida repair to help prevent or lessen hydrocephalus before a baby is born.
• Proven, evidence-based treatment protocols: as an active member of the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN), the largest pediatric hydrocephalus collaborative in North America. 
• Nationally ranked neurosurgical expertise: consistently recognized among the top neurosurgery programs in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.
• Integration of research and clinical care: direct access to discoveries from the Isaacs Lab and the Institute for Genomic Medicine.
• Rapid access to care: urgent neurosurgical evaluations available within 24 hours when needed.
• Collaborative teamwork: neurosurgeons, neonatologists, neurologists, fetal medicine specialists and rehabilitation experts working in one coordinated program.
• Family-centered approach: dedicated nurse coordinators and support services to guide families through every step of the journey.

Research

Research is at the heart of our comprehensive Hydrocephalus Program. Every discovery we make has one goal — to improve the lives of children living with hydrocephalus today and in the future.

Our research is led by Albert M. Isaacs, MD, PhD, whose lab within the Institute for Genomic Medicine focuses on uncovering the molecular drivers of hydrocephalus - especially post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity. Using advanced genetic models, high-resolution imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, the Isaacs Lab is identifying new therapeutic targets and reshaping how hydrocephalus is understood and treated. 

Because our clinical program and research lab work hand in hand, families benefit directly - from evidence-based surgical protocols to innovative approaches that may reduce the need for repeat procedures.

We are also a proud member of the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN), the largest multi-center collaborative for pediatric hydrocephalus in North America. As the only children’s hospital in Ohio and the surrounding states, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia, we offer families access to care informed by the latest multi-institutional data and the most rigorously studied treatment strategies available. 

By combining clinical excellence, cutting-edge research and collaborative leadership, we are helping to set the standard for hydrocephalus care nationwide.

Resources for Families

We know that living with hydrocephalus affects the whole family — not just the child. That’s why our program offers resources and support at every stage, from diagnosis to long-term follow-up.

Education and Guidance

• Easy-to-understand patient education materials
• Pre-surgical and post-surgical care instructions tailored to each procedure
• Guidance on what to expect during hospital stays, recovery and ongoing care

Support Services at Nationwide Children’s

• Dedicated nurse coordinators to answer questions and coordinate care
• Access to social work, psychology and family counseling
• Child Life specialists to help children prepare for and cope with medical experiences
• Case management to connect families with financial, housing and transportation resources

Connections Beyond the Hospital

 We connect families to trusted local and national organizations for additional support and advocacy:

• Hydrocephalus Association — national education, research and advocacy resources
• Spina Bifida Association — support and information for families affected by spina bifida
• Cerebral Palsy Foundation — resources for children with associated motor challenges
• Local and regional family support groups for peer connection and shared experiences

Ongoing Communication

We believe in open, ongoing communication with families. Whether it’s a routine follow-up, a new concern, or a transition in care, our team is available to guide the next steps and answer questions.

For Referring Physicians

We value strong partnerships with referring providers. Whether you are across town or across the country, our team works to ensure that every referral receives timely attention, clear communication and a coordinated plan for next steps.

How to refer a patient:

• Call our Neurosurgery referral line: (614) 722-2010
• Submit an Online Referral.
• Use CareLink for real-time access to documentation, imaging and updates.

When to Refer:

We welcome referrals for:

• Prenatal diagnosis of ventriculomegaly or hydrocephalus
• Postnatal imaging suggesting hydrocephalus
• Shunt malfunction or concern for infection
• Complex neurologic presentations or unclear diagnoses
• Requests for second opinions

Our commitment to referring providers:

• Urgent neurosurgical evaluations available within 24 hours when needed
• Timely communication of assessment findings and recommendations
• Collaboration on shared care plans to ensure continuity between our center and the referring practice

By working together, we can ensure that children with hydrocephalus receive the most advanced, evidence-based care - informed by both our own program’s expertise and the collective knowledge of the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network.