Enjoying sport
Many parents and teachers worry that, if a child with hydrocephalus joins in with the games and sports that their friends enjoy, damage to the shunt is likely to follow.
Shunts are, in fact, difficult to break or dislodge and most sports - with few exceptions - should be encouraged.
Children can run and jump, trampoline, do forward rolls and use the apparatus in the gym. However, they may need help with balancing and should not hang upside down (eg from wall bars) for any length of time.
Those with lumbar peritoneal (LP) shunts should avoid twisting actions as in aerobics and some dance.
They can play all non-contact sports like rounders, track events, cross-country running.
If the child with hydrocephalus has short-term memory problems, they may need frequent reminders of the rules and will need encouraging to wait their turn.
Again, be aware that sports where the player twists at the waist, such as golf, for example, will be unsuitable if he has an LP shunt.
Care should be taken by children with ventriculo peritoneal (VP) or ventriculo atrial (VA) shunts when drawing back the bow string in archery ~ hold the bow on the opposite side of the neck to shunt catheter.
Commonsense should prevail when looking at contact sports. On the football field or netball pitch, special care should be taken if a child with a VP shunt is hit hard in the abdomen by a ball. Although damage to the distal (lower) catheter is highly unlikely, it must be considered if pain persists or signs of shunt malfunction develop.
Activities where the players are grabbed round the neck must be avoided, judo or using the tackling bags in rugby training, for example.
Swimming is excellent exercise; people with shunts can scuba dive but deep sea diving is not advisable and there are sailing and water sports clubs with special facilities for disabled people.
Whatever sport your child decides they would like to do, they should follow the general safety advice for that sport.
So helmets must be worn for any where injury to the head may occur such as horse riding, cycling, climbing, and canoeing.
If “off the peg” helmets do not fit, there are manufacturers who make special order and large helmets. Contact information@asbah.org or phone the Information department at 01733 555988 for help.
Children with hydrocephalus, like all children, should be encouraged to try a variety of games and sports. They will never know that they can play if they aren’t allowed to try ~ within sensible limits, of course!
There will always be those with unrealistic ambitions who will need gently steering towards a sport more suited to his age and capabilities. A 10 year old will not be a Formula 1 driver but may have a talent for go-cart racing!
Most things are possible with imagination and care. If in doubt, ask ASBAH or your neurosurgeon for advice.
Helen Fernadez, Paediatric Neurosurgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, who has written the foreword to the next Benny Bear book, commented: “This latest Benny Bear book sees Benny enjoying himself at camp, happily joining in all the sporting activities with his classmates.
”I hope that this will allay natural anxiety in parents and allow their children to be adventurous, normal boisterous play will not damage a shunt. Children with hydrocephalus (whether treated by shunt or ETV) can safely take part in most sports that their friends enjoy and their parents should be supporting them. Look how successful Benny is. There is no reason why many children with hydrocephalus can't be as well."