Health Library

Shunt Malfunction Signs

Shunt Malfunctions

• If your child becomes very ill (persistent vomiting, extreme sleepiness, severe headache), seek medical assistance immediately.
• Call your child’s doctor if you think that your child is having a shunt malfunction based on the symptoms described above.
• Remember that you may see only one or two warning signs at a time. You will not see all of the signs at one time. Call your child's doctor if you notice one or more of these signs in your child.
• Call your doctor if vomiting and lethargy occur without fever or diarrhea. You may be instructed to first be seen by your primary medical doctor to assess for another illness.
• DO NOT PUSH ON OR PUT PRESSURE ON THE SHUNT.
• You may be sent for a head CT before seeing a member of the neurosurgery team.

Related Topics

• Hydrocephalus
• Shunts