Hydrocephalic syndrome in children: what is the danger?

Unfortunately, to date, hydrocephalic syndrome in children is a common disease. It is connected primarily with the increase in the amount of CSF, which leads to a stable increase in intracranial pressure. In the absence of treatment, this condition can be dangerous, since pressure on the brain leads to a disruption of normal development. Fortunately, with the help of modern medicine, such complications can be avoided.

Hydrocephalic syndrome in children: causes

• Firstly, it should be noted that often a similar diagnosis is made for premature babies, in whom the formation of the nervous system, and the organism as a whole, has not been completed to the end.
• In addition, often the cause is intrauterine hypoxia, since deficiency of oxygen primarily affects the development of the brain.
• A similar problem is also promoted by the infectious diseases transferred by the mother during pregnancy, in particular, rubella and herpes.
• To risk factors can be attributed and harmful habits of the mother. Of course, the abuse of alcohol and drugs, as well as smoking can disrupt the development of a small organism.
• In some cases, such a problem is the result of a head injury, inflicted during childbirth or in the first months of life.

Far not always doctors can find out the exact cause of the development of this syndrome.

Hydrocephalic syndrome in children: the main symptoms

Immediately it should be noted that the signs accompanying the disease can be different - everything here depends on the degree of increase in pressure, as well as the age of the child. For example, in children under the age of two, the main signs will look like this.

• One of the first symptoms is a significant increase in the size of the head. At the same time, attention should be paid not only to the very circumference of the baby's head, but also to its correlation with the size of the chest.
• When hydrocephalus is also observed swelling of the large fontanelle, and on the scalp can often be seen enlarged veins.
• Children with a similar diagnosis are very different from their peers. As a rule, they are sleepy and inactive, but also sleep badly, often wake up at night, constantly cry, eat poorly and slowly gain weight. In addition, there is some delay in development. Such babies begin to hold the head, sit and stand much later than they should.

But after reaching the age of two, the symptoms become completely different. First of all, it should be noted that the circumference of the head ceases to increase, as the bones of the skull become more rigid. Some children become too active and capricious, while others, on the contrary, are much more passive than their peers. Symptoms in this case include permanent attacks of headache, as well as frequent vomiting.

Hydrocephalic syndrome in children: consequences

At once it is necessary to note, that therapy to children with the similar diagnosis is simply necessary - in no event it is impossible to refuse treatment. After all, the progression of the disease can lead to disruption in the development of the whole organism, which in turn is fraught with blindness, paralysis, mental and physical retardation, and ultimately hemorrhage.

Hydrocephalic syndrome in children: treatment

The tactics of treatment are selected by the doctor individually and directly depends on the child's age, the degree of increase in intracranial pressure and the rate of development of a small organism. As a rule, hydrocephalic syndrome in children can be eliminated using only complex therapy, which includes taking drugs that improve the outflow of liquor and normalize metabolism. In addition, physiotherapy and regular massage will be useful. In the most severe cases, surgical intervention is required, in which surgeons conduct the bypass of the ventricles of the brain, which facilitates the outflow of fluid and normalizes the pressure.