Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) Provider
Pediatric Hydrocephalus Nursing Care at Home in Georgia
If your child has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, you already know how much daily monitoring, positioning, feeding support, and shunt care their condition can involve. SLB In-Home Care provides skilled pediatric nursing for children with hydrocephalus throughout Georgia, at no out of pocket cost to qualifying families through the Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP). Based in College Park, our licensed nurses come into your home to manage the day to day work of hydrocephalus care, so your family can spend less time worrying and more time just being a family.
What Our Nurses Provide
- Head circumference tracking & neurological assessments
- Shunt site monitoring for infection or malfunction
- Feeding, nutrition & positioning support
- Medication management & caregiver education
- Overnight & respite nursing shifts
- $0 out of pocket for qualifying families
0-21
children’s ages GAPP covers
$0
out of pocket cost for qualifying families
30–60
day approval window
RN & LPN
licensed pediatric nurses
Understanding the Condition
What Is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus happens when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up inside the ventricles of the brain faster than it can drain, which raises pressure on surrounding brain tissue. It can be present at birth (congenital hydrocephalus) or develop afterward because of premature birth complications, bleeding, infection, or injury (acquired hydrocephalus).
Most children are treated by a pediatric neurosurgeon with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt or an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) to relieve the pressure and drain the excess fluid safely. SLB nurses don’t perform surgery, but we support your child before and after treatment with the ongoing monitoring, care coordination, and family training that make recovery and daily life easier at home.
Common Treatment Options
- Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement
- Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)
- Ongoing shunt monitoring & revisions
- Coordinated care with neurosurgery team
Early Detection Matters
Signs and Symptoms Our Nurses Watch For
Part of hydrocephalus nursing care is knowing exactly what to look for at every visit. During a routine assessment, our nurses check for:
- A bulging, tense, or full soft spot (fontanelle) in infants
- A faster than expected increase in head circumference
- Downward eye deviation, sometimes called the “sunsetting” sign
- Repeated vomiting or a noticeable change in feeding
- A high pitched cry, unusual irritability, or excessive sleepiness
- Swelling, redness, or tenderness along the shunt tract
- Fever, seizures, or developmental delays
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now if your child with a shunt has:
- Repeated vomiting, a severe or worsening headache, or unusual sleepiness, or is hard to wake
- A seizure, sudden eye changes (including downward “sunsetting” eyes), or new trouble with vision
- A bulging, tense soft spot in an infant, or a head that is growing quickly
- Fever with redness, swelling, or fluid along the shunt tract
Shunt malfunction can become life threatening within hours. Do not wait for a nurse visit or an office callback. After emergency care has started, contact your child’s neurosurgeon. This page is general information and does not replace medical advice; see our provider disclaimer.
Every visit includes a hands on physical exam: head circumference measurement, a basic neuro check, and a look at the shunt site if your child has one. Findings are documented and shared directly with your child’s pediatrician and neurosurgeon, so nothing gets missed between office visits.
Our Expertise
Hydrocephalus Nursing Care
Services
We Provide at Home
Hydrocephalus Nursing Care Services
We Provide at Home
A GAPP nursing care plan for a child with hydrocephalus can include:
01
Head Circumference & Neuro Checks
Precise tracking and neurological assessments at every visit.
02
Shunt Site
Monitoring
Shunt Site Monitoring
Early detection of infection or malfunction signs.
03
Medication Administration
Safe management and timing of prescribed medications.
04
Feeding & Nutrition Support
Breastfeeding, bottle, or specialized feeding assistance.
05
Safe Positioning & Handling
Guidance tailored to your child’s surgical history.
06
Care Coordination
Direct communication with therapists, neurosurgeons & pediatricians.
07
Parent & Caregiver Education
Training on warning signs and daily care techniques.
08
Overnight & Respite Nursing
Shifts that give your family time to rest and recover.
Because every child’s diagnosis and treatment history is different, no two care plans look exactly alike. Our nurses build the plan around your child, not the other way around.
Early Days Matter
Newborn and Infant Hydrocephalus Care
Many families first hear the word “hydrocephalus” in the NICU, often following a premature birth or a bleed in the first days of life. Bringing a newborn home with a new diagnosis, and sometimes a brand new shunt, is a lot to manage on top of everything else that comes with a newborn.
Our nurses support that transition by tracking weight and growth, watching closely for early signs of shunt trouble, helping with feeding, and walking parents through what’s normal and what warrants a call to the doctor. For families still building confidence with a newborn’s care needs, having a nurse in the home during those first weeks can make an enormous difference.
How We Support Newborns
- Weight, length & growth tracking
- Early shunt complication monitoring
- Feeding support & positioning
- Parent education on normal vs. concerning signs
- Smooth transition from NICU to home
Key Positioning Principles
- Always follow neurosurgeon instructions
- Protect the shunt site from pressure
- Alternate positions to prevent flat spots
- Support head & neck during all handling
Safe Handling
Positioning Guidance for Babies with Hydrocephalus
Positioning needs vary by child and should always follow the specific instructions from your child’s neurosurgeon, since they know your child’s shunt type and surgical history. In general, day to day positioning support from our nurses includes:
- Supporting the head and neck carefully during handling, feeding, and diaper changes
- Alternating head position during sleep and tummy time to prevent pressure areas and flat spots
- Keeping pressure off the shunt site and incision area
- Adjusting positioning as your child grows and reaches new developmental stages
If your child’s surgical team has given specific positioning restrictions, such as after a recent shunt placement or revision, our nurses follow that plan exactly and check in with the surgical team any time something changes.
Hydrocephalus Nutrition Management
- Breastfeeding support & education
- Monitoring for feeding related warning signs
- Growth chart tracking over time
- Dietitian coordination when needed
Nutrition Support
Feeding and Nutrition Support for Children with Hydrocephalus
Most infants with hydrocephalus, including those with a shunt, can breastfeed or bottle feed normally once their care team gives the go ahead. In fact, breast milk feeding in the early months has been associated with a lower rate of shunt infection in infants who’ve had shunt surgery.
Some babies need extra support with feeding because of fatigue, reflux, or difficulty coordinating suck and swallow, especially if pressure was elevated before treatment. Our hydrocephalus nutrition management support includes:
- Watching for vomiting or poor feeding, which can be an early sign of a shunt problem
- Helping with positioning during breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- Tracking weight, length, and growth over time
- Coordinating with a pediatric dietitian if tube feeding or specialized nutrition becomes necessary
Always check with your child’s pediatrician or neurosurgeon before starting, stopping, or changing any feeding plan.
Personalized Approach
Building a Care Plan for Your Child with Hydrocephalus
Every family that qualifies for GAPP gets an individualized care plan, not a generic checklist. Here’s how it comes together:
01
Assessment
A nurse evaluates your child’s diagnosis, medical history, shunt or ETV status, and daily needs.
02
Goal Setting
Together with your family and physicians, we set specific goals for monitoring, feeding, development, or respite.
03
Care Delivery
A consistent nurse or team carries out the plan in your home on a schedule that works for you.
04
Ongoing Evaluation
The plan is reviewed and adjusted as your child grows, treatment changes, or new needs arise.
This same process applies whether your child is a newborn just home from the NICU or an older child managing hydrocephalus long term.
Real Families
A Family’s Story
Caring for a child with hydrocephalus can feel overwhelming, but no family has to face it alone. With skilled nursing care at home, your child receives close, attentive monitoring every day, while you gain confidence, real rest, and more precious moments together as a family.
- GAPP Provider Full support with Medicaid & Katie Beckett eligibility
- 30–60 Day Approvals Most families start care within two months
- $0 Out of Pocket When approved by Georgia Medicaid
- Statewide Coverage Serving College Park, Atlanta metro & all of Georgia
Our Headquarters
4751 Best Road, Suite #309
College Park, GA 30337
Local & Statewide
Why Georgia and College Park Families Choose SLB In-Home Care
SLB In-Home Care is based at 4751 Best Road, Suite #309, College Park, GA 30337, and our nurses serve families throughout Georgia, including the greater Atlanta metro area.
As a GAPP provider, we help families navigate Medicaid and Katie Beckett eligibility, handle the paperwork, and get skilled nursing started in the home, often within 30 to 60 days of applying. There’s no out of pocket cost to families once approved by Georgia Medicaid.
Simple Process
How to Get Started
Getting hydrocephalus nursing care at home is straightforward.
01
Call Us
A five minute phone call is all it takes to begin.
02
Assessment
A nurse evaluates your child’s needs for state approval.
03
Approval
Most approvals take 30 to 60 days.
04
Start Care
Choose your nurse and begin hydrocephalus care at home.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you breastfeed an infant with hydrocephalus?
In most cases, yes. Once your baby’s care team has given approval, breastfeeding or bottle feeding can continue normally, shunt or no shunt. Some research even links breast milk feeding to a lower rate of shunt infection in infants. If feeding becomes difficult or your baby starts vomiting repeatedly, contact your pediatrician right away, since that can sometimes signal a shunt problem.
What are the best head positions for a baby with hydrocephalus?
There’s no single answer that fits every child. Positioning depends on your child’s specific surgery and your neurosurgeon’s instructions. Our nurses follow that individualized plan, which generally includes supporting the head and neck during handling, alternating sleep positions to avoid pressure areas, and keeping direct pressure off the shunt site.
What does home nursing care for a child with hydrocephalus include?
A typical care plan includes head circumference tracking, neuro checks, shunt site monitoring, medication management, feeding support, positioning help, and ongoing communication with your child’s neurosurgeon and pediatrician. The exact mix depends on your child’s age, diagnosis, and treatment history.
What are the early signs of hydrocephalus or a shunt problem in an infant?
Watch for a bulging or tense soft spot, a fast increase in head size, downward eye deviation, repeated vomiting, unusual irritability or sleepiness, and swelling or redness along the shunt tract. If your child has a shunt and shows repeated vomiting, is hard to wake, has a seizure or has sudden eye changes, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. For milder or slowly developing signs, call your child’s neurosurgeon or doctor the same day.
Is hydrocephalus nursing care covered by Medicaid in Georgia?
For children who qualify, the Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) covers skilled nursing at no out of pocket cost. Eligibility is based on age (0-21), Georgia residency, a qualifying medical diagnosis, and Medicaid or Katie Beckett eligibility. See the official GAPP policy manual from Georgia Medicaid.
Is this program available to families in College Park?
Yes. SLB In-Home Care is headquartered in College Park, GA, and serves families there along with the rest of the state.