Symptoms of congenital hydrocephalus

Typical symptoms of congenital hydrocephalus include abnormally increased head circumference, crying and restlessness, developmental delay in infants, and headaches and blurred vision in adults. If related symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to obtain a clear diagnosis and receive targeted treatment.

1Symptoms in infancy

Infants with congenital hydrocephalus often show abnormally enlarged head circumference, which is due to the fact that the skull has not yet completely closed, and a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid has accumulated, resulting in increased intracranial pressure. Parents may notice that the baby's head appears disproportionately large, the soft tissue on the top of the head in front of the fontanelle is open and bulging, and the veins on the surface of the scalp are clearly visible. The baby may cry and be restless, easily awakened, and accompanied by refusal to feed, vomiting and other manifestations. In some severe cases, the eyeballs may also turn downward, the so-called "sunset sign".

2 Symptoms in childhood

Growing children with congenital hydrocephalus are less likely to have enlarged heads, but they may have learning problems, memory problems, or difficulty concentrating. Some children may have delayed motor development, such as the inability to walk or stand unaided. Increased pressure within the skull may cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting, especially in the early morning, and eye symptoms such as decreased vision or double vision may also develop gradually.

3 Symptoms in Adulthood

In some special cases, congenital hydrocephalus is not diagnosed in infancy or childhood, and symptoms may continue into adulthood. Adults may develop chronic headaches due to continued increase in intracranial pressure, accompanied by decreased memory and comprehension. Motor function may be affected, manifested as unsteady gait or slow movement, or even urinary incontinence.

4 Medical treatment and treatment recommendations

Once the above symptoms are found, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible and undergo head imaging examinations such as ultrasound, CT or MRI to confirm the hydrocephalus and its degree. Regarding treatment methods, the following three categories can generally be used:

Surgical treatment: Common ones include cerebrospinal fluid shunts such as ventriculoperitoneal shunts, which artificially create a cerebrospinal fluid flow path to relieve brain pressure.

Endoscopic surgery: such as third ventriculostomy, is suitable for patients with certain types of hydrocephalus.

Targeted drug control: In rare cases, doctors may use diuretics and other drugs to relieve symptoms caused by mild hydrocephalus.

Congenital hydrocephalus may seriously affect growth, development and quality of life. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve the prognosis. Parents and patients need to pay attention to relevant signs in time to avoid delaying the disease.