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A shunt is permanent, but because it can malfunction, it may have to be repaired or replaced throughout a person's life.

VP shunts are likely to require replacement after several years, especially in small children. The average lifespan of an infant's shunt is two years. Adults and children over the age of 2 may not need a shunt replacement for eight or more years. Shunt systems require frequent monitoring and follow-up.

Hydrocephalus may result in significant intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. Less severe cases, when treated appropriately, may have few, if any, notable complications. Participation in school activities depends on the individual student.

Signs of a shunt malfunction include headaches, vision problems, irritability, fatigue, personality change, loss of coordination, difficulty in waking up or staying awake, a return of walking difficulties, mild dementia or incontinence. Fortunately, most complications can be handled successfully.

“The Partridge Family” actor Danny Bonaduce is undergoing brain surgery after being diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a disorder that has rendered him unable to walk.

By injecting a small volume of contrast dye or a radiotracer into the shunt reservoir, the flow of CSF through the catheters and valve can be measured. Shunt Tap is a diagnostic test to screen for infection and confirm that the shunt is still functioning.

Survival in untreated hydrocephalus is poor. Approximately 50% of the affected patients die before 3 years of age and about 80% die before reaching adulthood. Treatment markedly improves the outcome for hydrocephalus not associated with tumors, with 89% and 95% survival in two case studies.

The shunt event-free survival is approximately 70% at 12 months and is nearly half that at 10 years, post-operatively. Shunts that are placed to channel CSF to other parts of the body may fail due to malfunction or infection.