Hydrocephalus

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Skull of a newborn

Hydrocephalus

Alternative Names:

Water on the brain
Treatment:

The goal is to reduce or prevent brain damage by improving the flow of CSF.

Surgery is the main treatment. The obstruction may be surgically removed, if possible. If the obstruction cannot be removed, a shunt may be placed within the brain to allow CSF to bypass the obstructed area.

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Shunting CSF to an area outside the brain (such as the right atrium of the heart or the abdominal peritoneum) is an alternative to shunting within the brain. Removing or cauterizing (destroying by burning) the parts of the brain that produce CSF may (theoretically) reduce CSF production.

Antibiotics are usually used aggressively with any sign of infection. Severe infections may require the shunt to be removed.

Follow-up examinations generally continue throughout the child's life to evaluate the child's developmental level and to treat any intellectual, neurologic, or physical problems.

Visiting nurses, social services, support groups, and local agencies can provide emotional support and assist with the care of the child with hydrocephalus who has significant brain damage.

Expectations (prognosis):

Untreated hydrocephalus has a 50-60% death rate, with the survivors having varying degrees of intellectual, physical, and neurologic disabilities.

The outlook for treated hydrocephalus varies, depending on the cause. If the child survives for 1 year, more than 80% will have a fairly normal life span. Approximately one-third will have normal intellectual function, but neurologic difficulties may persist.

Hydrocephalus that is caused by disorders not associated with infection has the best outlook, although hydrocephalus caused by tumors usually has a very poor prognosis.

Complications:

Problems with the shunt, such as kinking, blockage, or tube separation
Infection
- meningitis
- encephalitis
- infection of the area to which CSF is shunted
Intellectual impairment
Neurologic damage (decrease in movement, sensation, function)
Physical disabilities
Complications of surgery

Calling your health care provider:

Any symptoms of this disorder should be brought to the health care provider's attention immediately. Call if a child's head is getting larger or there is a change in the appearance of the face, head, or eyes. Also call if the condition deteriorates to the point that the child cannot be cared for in the home.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if emergency symptoms occur, including difficulties with sucking/feeding, high-pitched cry, fever, lethargy or drowsiness, stiff neck (unwillingness to bend or move the neck or head), problems with breathing, severe headache, seizures, irregular heartbeat, or no heartbeat.