Hydrocephalus Disease Courtney Compton 1/15/2013

What Is Hydrocephalus? Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain the fluid is often under increased pressure and can compress and damage the brain.

Symptoms Of Hydrocephalus Signs and symptoms of Hydrocephalus vary generally by age of onset.

Common Signs And Symptoms In Infants A unusually large head A rapid increase in size of head A bulging or tense soft spot (fontanel) on top of the head Vomiting Sleepiness Irritability Poor Feeding Seizures Eyes fixed downward (Sunsetting of the eyes)

Symptoms in toddlers and older children Abnormal enlargement of a toddlers head Headache Nausea Or Vomiting Fever Delays in walking and talking Problems with previously acquired skills, such as walking or talking Blurred or double vision Unstable balance Poor coordination

Continued Irritability Change in personality Problems with Attention Decline In School Performance Poor Appetite Seizures Sleepiness Difficulty remaining asleep or waking up

Symptoms In Young And Middle Aged Adults Headache Difficulty in remaining asleep or waking up Loss Of Coordination Or Balance Loss Of Bladder Control Or A Frequent Urge To Urinate Impaired Vision Decline In Memory Or Concentration

Other Adults Loss of bladder or a frequent urge to urinate Memory loss Progressive loss of thinking Difficulty walking Poor Coordination or balance Slower Than Normal Movements In General

When To See A Doctor A High Pitched Cry Problems With Sucking Or Feeding Unexplained Or Recurrent Vomiting Breathing Difficulties Seizures

Causes Hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance between how much cerebrospinal fluid is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream.

What Will Increase The Risk. Babies are at increased risk for hydrocephalus if they did not fully develop or if they were exposed to an infection in the womb. Children or adults who suffer head injury, brain surgery or an infection of the nervous system also have an increased risk

Increased Risk For Babies Infants who are born before they fully developed have an increased chance of internal bleeding, which can lead to hydrocephalus. If a baby fails to fully form crucial areas of the spine or skull they may be more likely to experience fluid blockage in the brain that causes hydrocephalus. If an infant suffers an infection in the womb or soon after delivery, such as meningitis, this will also increase their risk.

Increased Risk For Child Or Adult If a child or adult suffers trauma to the head or spine there is an increased likelihood of blocked cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Tumors or lesions found in the brain or on the spine as well as surgery to those areas can also increase your risk for hydrocephalus. Infections that affect the nervous system, such as meningitis or encephalitis, may also lead to hydrocephalus.

Treatment While hydrocephalus has no cure there are treatments that allow those affected to lead fairly normal lives with the condition. In some cases, it is possible for the blockage that is causing the fluid to build in the brain to be surgically removed. If the blockage is successfully removed the child will require follow up appointments to monitor their cerebrospinal fluid levels and the possibility exists that they will need more surgeries later on in life.

Continued The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical placement of a shunt in the area of the brain with excess fluid. A shunt consists of flexible tubing that's purpose is to drain the fluid into another area of the body that can properly absorb it. This type of treatment requires a lot of maintenance but has been a successful way of treating the life altering affects of hydrocephalus.

National Foundations

NHF Objectives To assemble and disseminate information pertaining to hydrocephalus, its treatments and outcomes To establish and facilitate a communication network among affected families and individuals To help others gain a deeper understanding of those areas affected by hydrocephalus, such as education, insurance, tax and estate planning, employment and family To increase public awareness and knowledge of hydrocephalus To promote and support research on the causes, treatment and prevention of hydrocephalus In addition to providing the public with informational brochures, NHF offers a variety of help guides, maintains a reference library, videos/CD's on hydrocephalus, has support groups, will assist others in starting an NHF support group in their area, and publishes a quarterly newsletter, Life Line

Madison Claire’s Story http://nhfonline.org/blessing-in-disguise.htm http://nhfonline.org/our-shining-star.htm

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