Hydrocephalus in Children
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary, depending on the age of the child and the rate of fluid accumulation. Hydrocephalus in a fetus can increase a baby's head size to the point where a C-section is necessary.
If hydrocephalus occurs in the first 1 or 2 years of life, the infant's head will enlarge more rapidly than normal. The fontanels, or soft spots on top of the head, will bulge and feel tense. Scalp veins will be dilated. The eyes may look downward. The infant may have stiffness in the arms and legs due to muscle spasms.
In the older child, the symptoms of hydrocephalus may not be as obvious. Because the bones of the skull have fused together, the head does not enlarge. The child may be have the following symptoms:
drowsiness
fatigue
headache
irritability
loss of appetite
problems with balance, coordination, and walking
urinary incontinence
vomiting
A slowly worsening form of hydrocephalus may cause the following symptoms in a child:
changes in personality and thinking abilities
a gradual decline in school performance
memory loss
slow development
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