Children with hydrocephalus

Pediatric hydrocephalus is a condition caused by an excessive buildup of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. CSF is a clear fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from injury. When the fluid builds up in the brain, it can cause increased pressure within the head. Hydrocephalus can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it is caused by an overproduction of CSF and other times, it may be due to the body’s inability to drain or reabsorb the fluid. It can be present at birth (congenital) or occur after birth (acquired). Pediatric hydrocephalus can be damaging if left untreated, but with early diagnosis and treatment, children with hydrocephalus can often lead normal, healthy lives. According to the Hydrocephalus Association, one to two of every 1,000 babies born in the U.S. will have hydrocephalus and more than one million people in the U.S. are currently living with hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus treatment at Children’s

At Children’s Minnesota, we are experts in caring for all types of brain and nervous system issues, including hydrocephalus. We provide an innovative approach to treatment that is cutting edge and less invasive for better outcomes and easier recovery. Learn more about the neuroscience program or make an consultation appointment with our neurosurgery team.

Hydrocephalus questions answered

What is cerebral spinal fluid?

Most of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is created by an area of the brain called the choroid plexus. The CSF serves to protect the brain and spinal cord, and also delivers nutrients to the brain and takes away waste. Typically, CSF circulates through the brain within ventricles, which are the normal fluid-filled spaces in the brain. There are two lateral ventricles that drain into a third ventricle and then into a fourth ventricle. From there, the CSF surrounds the spinal cord and brain. It is eventually reabsorbed into the sagittal sinus, which is a large vein in the head, and travels back to the body.

What causes hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus may be congenital (born with it) or acquired (developed).

When hydrocephalus is congenital, it may be the result of a condition like spina bifida, where the baby’s spine does not form normally, or aqueductal stenosis, a narrowing of the passage between the third and fourth ventricles in the brain. Hydrocephalus may also be caused by a genetic disorder.

Acquired hydrocephalus occurs any time after birth. It may occur due to bleeding in the brain, sometimes seen in premature babies or in individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries. It may occur if there is a growing mass causing obstruction to the flow of CSF. Sometimes it may be idiopathic, which means that it develops without a known cause.

What are the signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus?

The signs and symptoms vary between individuals and can present differently based on age.

During pregnancy, a routine ultrasound may detect hydrocephalus in the baby.

In young babies, the skull bones are not yet fused together and there are soft spots, called fontanelles, between the bones. The most common sign of hydrocephalus in an infant is typically a large head or firm, bulging fontanelles.

Signs or symptoms of hydrocephalus in infancy may include:

Bulging fontanelles (soft spots between the bones)
A large head circumference or a rapid increase in head growth
Swollen veins on the scalp
Difficulty looking upward during eye movements
Repetitive vomiting
Excessive irritability, possibly due to head pain
Very sleepy and difficult to awaken
Seizures

Older children and adults will not have head growth with hydrocephalus and so they often display signs of increased head pressure. Headaches are the most common complaint. Signs or symptoms of hydrocephalus in older children and adults may include:

Headaches
Nausea/vomiting
Sleepiness
Difficulty with motor skills or balance
Blurry or double vision
Incontinence
Difficulty looking upward during eye movements
Seizures

If left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause developmental delays, personality changes and memory loss. In severe cases, untreated hydrocephalus may result in nerve damage, vision loss and even death. However, with prompt diagnosis and treatment, many infants and children with hydrocephalus are able to successfully manage their condition and lead long, healthy lives.

How is hydrocephalus diagnosed?

Hydrocephalus has traditionally been diagnosed after birth. Now, with advances in ultrasound technique, it is sometimes diagnosed while the baby is still in the womb. An ultrasound may show that the baby has large ventricles, the normal fluid-filled spaces in the brain. If hydrocephalus is suspected during pregnancy, your doctor will perform additional ultrasounds to monitor the size of the ventricles throughout the pregnancy.

After birth, hydrocephalus may be diagnosed with an ultrasound, a CT (computed tomography) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

What are the treatment options?

Hydrocephalus is the most common reason for brain surgery in children. Treatment for hydrocephalus varies based on the age of the child and the cause of the hydrocephalus. The most common treatment options are placement of a shunt or performing a third ventriculostomy.

A shunt is a long, flexible tube that helps to redirect the flow of CSF. Generally, one end is placed in the ventricle of the brain and the other end is placed in the peritoneal space, an abdominal cavity. This is called a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Sometimes, the lower end of the shunt may be placed into a chamber in the heart or the space around the lungs. The shunt has a valve that directs the flow of CSF away from the brain.

When a child has a shunt, there is a risk for a shunt malfunction. This means that the shunt is not working and fluid is building up in the brain. This may occur if the shunt becomes blocked or if the pieces of the shunt become disconnected in the body. Generally, the child will then experience the signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus mentioned above.

Another surgical option is an endoscopic third ventriculostomy. It is helpful for patients that have a blockage of CSF. In this surgery, a small opening is made in the bottom of the third ventricle, allowing the CSF to leave the brain by a different route. This is a minimally-invasive approach as surgeons use a small, lighted camera (an endoscope) to view the surgical site. This procedure may allow a child to live without a shunt, however, there is the possibility that the small opening may close on its own. If this occurs, the child will experience the signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus once again.

Can hydrocephalus be prevented?

Most forms of hydrocephalus cannot be prevented. However, it’s recommended that parents protect their children from head injuries by doing things such as using proper car seats or seatbelts, childproofing around the house to prevent falls and ensuring children have proper helmets for sports and activities.

Can hydrocephalus be cured?

There is no cure for hydrocephalus, but with timely diagnosis and treatment, children with hydrocephalus can lead normal lives. They will require close care from physicians, neurosurgeons and sometimes neurologists as well.