Nancy
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                        
                        My daughter has spina bifida and hydrocephalus.  I'm not a neurologist, but if he doesn't get the shunt, I believe he could die from the build-up of fluid.  At the least, it could affect brain function-breathing, swallowing, that type of thing.  What does the doctor say?