I am writing about hydrocephalous, not because i know more about it, but because a parent of a 18months old child is crying for help.
Hydroce
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook
Prevention
What is hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is a condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the skull and causes the brain to swell. The name means “water on the brain.”
Brain damage can occur as a result of the fluid buildup. This can lead to developmental, physical, and intellectual impairments. It requires treatment to prevent serious complications.
Hydrocephalus mainly occurs in children and adults over 60, but younger adults can get it too. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) estimates that 1 to 2 of every 1,000 babies are born with hydrocephalus.
CAUSES
What causes hydrocephalus?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows through your brain and spinal cord in normal conditions. Under certain conditions, the amount of CSF in your brain increases. The amount of CSF can increase when:
a blockage develops that prevents CSF from flowing normally
there is a decrease in the ability of blood vessels to absorb it
your brain produces an excess amount of it
Too much of this fluid puts your brain under too much pressure. This pressure can cause brain swelling, which can damage your brain tissue.
Underlying causes
In some cases, hydrocephalus starts before a baby is born. This can result from:
a birth defect in which the spinal column doesn’t close
a genetic abnormality
certain infections that occur during pregnancy, such as rubella
This condition can also occur in infants, toddlers, and older children due to:
central nervous system infections such as meningitis, especially in babies
bleeding in the brain during or shortly after delivery, especially in babies born prematurely
injuries that occur before, during, or after delivery
head trauma
central nervous system tumors
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
When hydrocephalus occurs in adults, CSF levels rise but the amount of pressure is usually normal. It still causes the brain to swell and can lead to impaired functioning. In adults, this condition usually results from conditions that prevent CSF from flowing. However, in some cases, there is no known cause.
You might be at higher risk if you’ve experienced any of the following:
brain-related infections such as meningitis
head injuries
bleeding from a blood vessel in your brain
brain surgery
SYMPTOMS
Recognizing potential signs of hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus can cause permanent brain damage, so it’s important that you recognize symptoms of this condition and seek medical attention. The condition is more common in children, but it can affect people of any age.
Infants
Early signs of hydrocephalus in infants include:
bulging fontanel, which is the soft spot on the surface of the skull
a rapid increase in head circumference
eyes that are fixed downward
seizures
extreme fussiness
vomiting
excessive sleepiness
poor feeding
low muscle tone and strength
Toddlers and older children
Symptoms or signs that affect toddlers and older children include:
short, high-pitched cries
personality changes
changes in facial structure
crossed eyes
headaches
muscle spasms
delayed growth
trouble eating
extreme sleepiness
irritability
loss of coordination
loss of bladder control
larger than normal head
trouble staying awake or waking up
vomiting or nausea
seizures
problems concentrating
Young and middle-aged adults
Symptoms in young and middle-aged adults include:
chronic headaches
loss of coordination
difficulty walking
bladder problems
vision problems
poor memory
difficulty concentrating
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
This form of the condition usually begins slowly and is more common in adults over the age of 60. One of the earliest signs is falling suddenly without losing consciousness. Other common symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) include:
changes in the way you walk
impaired mental functions, such as memory problems
trouble controlling urine
trouble controlling stools
headaches
DIAGNOSIS
How is hydrocephalus diagnosed?
If you suspect that you or your child has hydrocephalus, your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms. In children, doctors check for eyes that are sunken in, slow reflexes, a bulging fontanel, and a head circumference that is larger than normal for their age.
Your doctor may also use an ultrasound to get a closer look at the brain. These tests use high-frequency sound waves to create images of the brain. This type of ultrasound can only be done in babies whose fontanel (soft spot) is still open.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can be used to look for signs of excess CSF. MRIs use a magnetic field and radio waves to make a cross-sectional image of the brain.
Computerized tomography (CT) scans can also help diagnose hydrocephalus in children and adults. CT scans use several different X-rays to form a cross-sectional image of the brain. These scans can show enlarged brain ventricles that result from too much CSF.
TREATMENT
How is hydrocephalus treated?
Hydrocephalus can be fatal if it’s left untreated. Treatment may not reverse brain damage that’s already occurred. The goal is to prevent further brain damage. This involves restoring the normal flow of CSF. Your doctor may explore either of the following surgical options:
Shunt insertion
In most cases, a shunt is surgically inserted. The shunt is a drainage system made of a long tube with a valve. The valve helps CSF flow at a normal rate and in the right direction. Your doctor inserts one end of the tube in your brain and the other end into your chest or abdominal cavity. Excess fluid then drains from the brain and out the other end of the tube, where it can be more easily absorbed. A shunt implant is typically permanent and has to be monitored regularly.
Ventriculostomy
A procedure called a ventriculostomy can be performed as an alternative to having a shunt inserted. This involves making a hole at the bottom of a ventricle or in between ventricles. This allows CSF to leave the brain.
OUTLOOK
What is the outlook for a person with hydrocephalus?
The outlook for someone with hydrocephalus depends largely on the extent of the symptoms. Many children experience lifelong brain damage. By working with professionals including pediatricians, special education teachers, mental health providers, occupational therapists, developmental therapists, and pediatric neurologists, children can learn to manage their disability and lessen the lifelong effects.
Adults with severe symptoms of hydrocephalus might need to work with occupational therapists. Others may require long-term care. Some might need the care of medical specialists who focus on dementia.
The long-term effects of this condition vary widely, depending on individual circumstances. Talk to your doctor for a more case-specific outlook.
PREVENTION
Reducing your risk of hydrocephalus
You can’t prevent hydrocephalus, but you can lower your risk and your child’s risk for developing the condition.
Make sure you get prenatal care during pregnancy. This can help reduce your chance of going into premature labor, which can lead to hydrocephalus.
Getting vaccinations can help prevent illnesses and infections that are linked to hydrocephalus. Having regular screenings can also ensure that you get prompt treatment for illnesses or infections that could put you at risk of hydrocephalus.
