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

Unfortunately, cerebral hydrocephalus inNewborns are found quite often. 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 timely treatment will help to avoid dangerous consequences.

Hydrocephalus of the brain in newborns and its causes

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

Often hydrocephalus of the brainNewborns are 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 infringement the use of some medicines, and also a poisoning with dangerous toxins can result. In some cases, intrauterine injury occurs, which occurs, for example, when falling or striking the abdomen.

In some cases, dropsy develops afterbirth. In this case, the risk factors are head injuries 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 symptoms of the disease largely depend onon how much pronounced edema. 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, the increase in the numberspinal 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, as they suffer from severe headaches. Symptoms include frequent regurgitation and refusal to eat.

Hydrocephalus is accompanied by swelling of largefontanel. Because of the increase in pressure inside the skull, the squeezing of certain parts of the brain occurs. As a result, there are convulsions, 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 several decades ago such athe 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 is susceptible to conservative treatment. To the kid appoint diuretics, helping to get rid of superfluous liquid.

Nevertheless, in most cases, the onlythe output 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.