Hydrocephalus of the brain in newborns: causes, symptoms and methods of treatment

Unfortunately, brain hydrocephalus in newborns is quite common. A similar pathology can be both congenital and acquired in the first weeks of a baby's life. In any case, it is worthwhile to know about the main symptoms of the disease, because in time the therapy started will help to avoid dangerous consequences.

Hydrocephalus of the brain in newborns and its causes

In fact, there are many reasons for the development of such a pathology. A cerebral vasculature is accompanied by an increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in increased intracranial pressure.

Often, brain hydrocephalus in newborns is the result of a violation of normal intrauterine development. For example, the risk factors include inflammatory or infectious diseases that were transferred by a woman during pregnancy (herpes, cytomegalovirus). To the same violation can lead to the use of certain drugs, as well as poisoning with dangerous toxins. In some cases, there is an intrauterine trauma, which occurs, for example, when falling or striking the abdomen.

In some cases, dropsy develops after birth. In this case, the risk factors are head injury of the baby during labor, as well as meningitis, encephalitis and some other diseases that appeared in the first days of the child's life.

Hydrocephalus of the brain in newborns: the main symptoms

In fact, the signs of the disease largely depend on how strongly pronounced the dropsy. As a rule, the disease is found in the first months of life. The fact is that this pathology is accompanied by a disproportionate growth of the head, which doctors notice with monthly measurements of the circumference.

As already mentioned, an increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid leads to an increase in intracranial pressure, which, naturally, affects the child's well-being. Such babies are more restless and nervous, often crying, because they suffer from severe headaches. Symptoms include frequent regurgitation and refusal to eat.

Hydrocephalus is accompanied by swelling of large fontanelles. Due to the increased pressure inside the skull, compression of certain parts of the brain occurs. As a result, there are cramps, muscle weakness, vision problems, and some disorders of the nervous system. In the absence of timely treatment, dropsy can lead to a delay in mental and physical development.

Hydrocephalus of the brain: treatment

If a few decades ago such a disease was considered incurable, then with the methods of modern medicine there is an opportunity to cope with it. Moderate internal hydrocephalus of the brain in some cases yields to conservative treatment. The baby is prescribed diuretics that help get rid of excess fluid.

Nevertheless, in most cases the only way out is surgical intervention. Of course, such an operation is fraught with risk. But most often doctors manage to bypass the ventricles of the brain and facilitate the outflow of fluid, thereby reducing intracranial pressure.