SIGNS AND SYMPTONS

Causes

• Aqueductal Obstruction (Stenosis:narrowing)
• CHOROID PLEXUS - A vascular structure in the ventricles of the brain which produces cerebrospinal fluid.
• SPINA BIFIDA - A congenital defect of the spine marked by the absence of a portion of the spine
• Intraventricular Hemorrhage
• MENINGITIS - An infection or inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
• MENINGOCELE - A protrusion of the coverings of the spinal cord or brain through a defect in the skull or vertebral column.
• MENINGOENCEPHALITIS - An inflammation or infection of the brain and meninges.
• MENINGOENCEPHALOCELE - A protrusion of both the meninges and brain tissue through a skull defect.
• Head Trauma
• Tumors
• Arachoid Cysts
• Dandy-Walker Syndrome
• SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE - Blood in, or bleeding into, the space under the arachnoid membrane, most commonly from trauma or from rupture of an aneurysm.
• SUBDURAL HEMATOMA - a collection of blood (clot) trapped under the dura matter, the outermost membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• VENTRICULITIS - Inflammation and/or infection of the ventricles

In infants, the most obvious sign of hydrocephalus ("HC") is an abnormal enlargement of the baby's head. The soft spot (fontanel) may be tense and bulging. The scalp may appear thin and glistening, and the scalp veins may appear to have unnatural fullness (prominence), as well. When you feel your baby's head along the suture lines, you may find that the bones are separated.
INFANT SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR: vomiting, sleepiness, irritability, downward deviation of the baby's eyes (called the "sunsetting sign"), and seizures. REMEMBER: your baby cannot tell you it is sick....keep a watchful eye! As a mother, you know something is wrong! Act on your God-given motherly instincts!

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Toddlers whose sutures have not yet closed also show the signs of head enlargement. Older toddlers and children, once their sutures (seam parts of the skull; fontanel) have closed, will show other symptons of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by their enlarge ventricles.
TODDLER SYMPTONS often include headache, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes blurred or double vision. The child might have problems with balance, delayed development in such areas as walking or talking, or poor coordination. As with infants, a child may be more irritable or tired than normal, or may develop seizures. The child may show a change in personality, or be unable to concentrate or remember things. Older children may have difficulty waking up and STAYING AWAKE.

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