Hydrocephalus is a high level of fluid accumulation in and around the brain. The name of the condition comes from the Latin words for "water" and "head". The incidence of congenital hydrocephalus in children is approximately 1 in 500 children. It can also occur at older ages.
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the brain and spinal cord and helps protect the brain from external influences. However, too much cerebrospinal fluid can damage brain cells and cause a range of impairments in brain function.
What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus?
The symptomsof hydrocephalus in infants and children should be discussed separately. It is necessary to consider the symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants and children separately. We can list the symptoms of hydrocephalus as follows;
- Soft swelling in the baby's fontanel
- Increase in the baby's head circumference
- Seizures
- High-pitched screaming
- Deterioration of the diet
- Don't be angry
- Immobility in infants
- Vomiting
- Difficulty with mental perception
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking and balancing
What Causes Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus occurs in one in every 500 children. Although there are many causes of hydrocephalus, the most common cause is cerebral hemorrhage due to premature birth. The conditions that cause hydrocephalus to develop later are as follows;
- Premature birth
- Infection
- Tumors
- Birth injuries
- It can be listed as bleeding in the baby's brain.
How is hydrocephalus diagnosed?
Hydrocephalus is usually diagnosed by brain ultrasound. After the fusion in the skull, the best diagnosis is made with MRI or computed tomography methods.
How is hydrocephalus treated?
In the treatment of hydrocephalus, it is aimed to keep the fluid and pressure in the brain at normal levels in order not to damage the brain tissue. In the treatment, neurosurgeons direct the excess fluid accumulated in the brain into the abdominal cavity with the help of a shunt. After this stage of hydrocephalus treatment, the patient is followed up.
