Congenital Hydrocephalus Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Congenital hydrocephalus is a rare brain malformation or birth defect. This condition leads to the excess build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. The cerebrospinal fluid is a colourless liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It brings important nutrients and removes waste from the tissues. In general, this fluid is absorbed into the bloodstream. But if you have congenital hydrocephalus, the fluid is not drained and gets accumulated in the brain. This can further lead to increased pressure in the brain.
There are different types of treatment for congenital hydrocephalus. Visiting a doctor can help suggest the right treatment based on the underlying cause.
What Are the Signs of Congenital Hydrocephalus?
If your child is born with congenital hydrocephalus, your child may have distinctive features such as:
- Eyes looking downwards
- A bulging fontanelle
- A thin scalp with visible veins
- A large head
- Irritability
In some cases, this condition is determined during an ultrasound, before the child is born. However, in most cases, this condition is diagnosed during a physical examination of the newborn.
What Causes Congenital Hydrocephalus?
Congenital hydrocephalus can be either genetic or can be caused by other medical issues. The following are some of the possible reasons for congenital hydrocephalus:
- Aqueductal stenosis: The cerebral aqueduct is the long, narrow passageway between two ventricles of the brain. If the passageway gets blocked due to infection, tumours, or a hemorrhage, the cerebrospinal fluid cannot circulate.
- Neural tube defects: Spina bifida is one of the neural tube defects where a part of the baby’s spinal cord is exposed.
- Craniosynostosis: This condition occurs when bones in the skull fuse together even before the brain has stopped growing.
- Dandy-Walker syndrome: It is a condition where some parts of the brain do not develop as expected. Due to this, the fourth ventricle of the brain becomes enlarged.
- Arachnoid cysts: This type of cyst in the brain blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. These cysts are filled with CSF fluid and this can block the CSF passage.
- Chiari malformations: This condition affects the region where the spinal cord and brain join. The lower part of the brain gets pressed into the spinal column and causes a blockage.
How is Congenital Hydrocephalus Diagnosed?
Regular ultrasounds during pregnancy can help detect any problems with the brain development in your baby. If the doctor suspects an issue during an ultrasound, further tests may be performed to clearly diagnose the condition.
If the doctor determines congenital hydrocephalus after childbirth, then the following tests may be performed:
- CT scans
- MRIs
Treatment Options for Congenital Hydrocephalus
Even if congenital hydrocephalus is diagnosed before childbirth, it cannot be treated until childbirth. Surgical implantation of a shunt is the best choice of treatment for congenital hydrocephalus. A shunt is a small flexible plastic tube that is placed inside the baby’s brain. The device helps to drain the extra fluid in the brain by diverting the fluid to other parts of the brain.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) can also be used to treat this condition. This procedure makes a hole in the ventricle of the brain to bypass the blockage or obstruction. The fluid can now flow towards the region where it can be reabsorbed by the body. ETV procedure is suitable only for a few patients.
Your Baby Diagnosed with Congenital Hydrocephalus? Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy Can Help You
If your baby has been diagnosed with congenital hydrocephalus, then visiting Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy can be your right choice. Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy has been working as a neurosurgeon in Hyderabad for over 12 years. He can treat a wide range of neurological conditions. Once you are in the hands of Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy, you will receive efficient nursing and surgical care until you recover completely. We wish you and your family to have a healthy life. But if you ever need the help of a neurosurgeon in Hyderabad, give us a call and Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy is ready to help you.