Common causes of congenital hydrocephalus

Common causes of congenital hydrocephalus include genetic factors, fetal infection, developmental abnormalities, and complications related to other diseases. Understanding its specific causes will help to identify it early and take appropriate measures.

1. Genetic factors

Congenital hydrocephalus may be caused by genetic mutations. For example, X-linked recessive hydrocephalus is a condition caused by mutations in the L1CAM gene and occurs primarily in male fetuses. Certain familial genetic diseases, such as congenital malformation syndromes, may also be associated with the occurrence of hydrocephalus. If there is a family history of related genetic diseases, genetic counseling should be performed before pregnancy, and accurate genetic screening and prenatal diagnosis should be performed during pregnancy.

2. Fetal infection

Maternal infection with certain viruses or bacteria during pregnancy, such as toxoplasmosis, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, etc., may affect the development of the fetal nervous system, leading to obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid circulation and the formation of hydrocephalus. To avoid such conditions, infection screening should be performed during the pregnancy preparation stage, high standards of hygiene should be maintained during pregnancy, and contact with possible sources of infection should be avoided.

3 Neurodevelopmental abnormalities

Abnormal fetal organ development is one of the common causes of congenital hydrocephalus. For example, common anatomical abnormalities such as aqueductal stenosis can hinder the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid and cause fluid accumulation. Chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome may also cause hydrocephalus. For fetuses with obvious malformation risks, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging should be used to strengthen prenatal monitoring.

4Related to other diseases

Certain congenital brain diseases, such as spina bifida, Chiari malformation, and Dandy-Walker syndrome, may occur simultaneously with hydrocephalus. These diseases may be accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders, further inducing hydrocephalus. Regular prenatal examinations during pregnancy, combined with imaging diagnosis, can help detect these problems.

5. Prenatal trauma or hypoxia

Physical injury to the fetus or prenatal hypoxia may also interfere with the dynamic balance of cerebrospinal fluid and lead to hydrocephalus. In order to reduce the risk, high-risk activities should be reduced during pregnancy to ensure the safety of the fetus during the perinatal period.

Hydrocephalus has a significant impact on the life and quality of life of children, and parents need to identify and intervene early. After the diagnosis of congenital hydrocephalus, current intervention methods include surgical treatment such as cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery, neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy, and drug regulation. It is also very important to strengthen care and prevent secondary infection. For families with a history of genetic diseases, they should attach great importance to health management before and during pregnancy.