ABSTRACT
Introduction: During the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic we observed a decrease of our shunt revision rate. In order to investigate a possible correlation with an assumingly lower general infection rate in children in times of lock down and homeschooling, we performed a detailed analysis of our shunt and general pediatric patient population. Method(s): Electronic patient charts retrieval for children admitted for shunt revision or infectious diseases was performed for four time periods (study period April 2020 - March 2021, control periods from three previous years). A detailed analysis of all shunt revision and infectious cases including age and season specific evaluation followed. Possible correlations were investigated. Result(s): A total of 318 shunt revision and 13,919 pediatric cases have been evaluated. The shunt revision rate during the study period was 29% less compared to the average rate of three previous years (p 0.061), the number of pediatric cases with main diagnosis infection dropped significantly (p < 0.05), whereas other pediatric admissions remained stable. Significant age or seasonal influences did not exist. The number of shunt revisions in association with a documented systemic infection or a primary shunt infection dropped significantly during the study period (p<0.05 each). This was not the case for underdrainage, overdrainage (p>0.05 each) or other indications. In general, infections of upper and lower airways, the gastrointestinal and nervous system decreased during the pandemic, urinary infection rates remained stable. Conclusion(s): The decreased shunt revision rate during the first year of the pandemic seems correlate with a decrease of the general infection rate in children and adolescents at the same time. Infectionassociated shunt failures showed a significant decrease during this period compared to previous years.