What does it mean when a fetus has water on the brain?
Hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain,” is a condition associated with a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in or around the brain. If left untreated, this can lead to brain tissue stretching, significantly affecting your child’s growth and development.
Can a baby live with fluid on the brain?
Most of the newborns born with hydrocephalus will have a normal lifespan, and approximately 40 to 50 percent will have normal intelligence. Seizure disorders have been diagnosed in about 10 percent of children with hydrocephalus. The mortality rate for infants is approximately 5 percent.
How long does a baby with hydrocephalus live?
What is the life expectancy of a child who has hydrocephalus? Children often have a full life span if hydrocephalus is caught early and treated. Infants who undergo surgical treatment to reduce the excess fluid in the brain and survive to age 1 will not have a shortened life expectancy due to hydrocephalus.
How long can a baby with hydrocephalus live?
Is hydrocephalus a birth defect?
Hydrocephalus is one of the most common “birth defects” affecting more than 10,000 babies each year. One out of every 500 newborns has hydrocephalus.
How do you prevent hydrocephalus in a fetus?
You can’t prevent hydrocephalus in your child. But your baby’s healthcare provider may suggest genetic counseling if you plan to have more children. Through counseling, you can learn about the risk for this condition in future pregnancies. You may also need testing during pregnancy to check for hydrocephalus.
Does hydrocephalus cause mental retardation?
They have postulated that progressive hydrocephalus with a rising CSF pressure may result in failure of brain growth and mental retardation unless ventricular drainage is instituted prior to the time neural damage is irreversible.
Does hydrocephalus cause autism?
Conclusion: The majority of children with hydrocephalus have behavioural problems and many have autism. It is therefore important to assess and understand all the aspects of cognition and behaviour in these children in order to minimise disability and enhance participation for the child.
What is the most common cause of hydrocephalus in utero?
True fetal hydrocephalus has a variety of causes. The most common form of isolated, obstructive hydrocephalus is so-called “aqueductal stenosis,” which is the blockage of CSF passage through the aqueduct of Sylvius. It accounts for up to 20 percent of cases of fetal hydrocephalus.
Is hydrocephalus genetic?
It is thought that congenital hydrocephalus can be caused by genetic defects that can be passed from one or both parents to a child, but the direct links to hereditary disorders are still being investigated. However, experts have found a connection between a rare genetic disorder called L1 syndrome and hydrocephalus.
What is the treatment for water on the brain?
Water on the Brain Treatments. Treatment. Treatment may include: Shunt placement (ventriculoperitoneal shunt)—In this surgical procedure, a shunt (a tube system that is implanted into the brain) allows excess CSF to drain into another area, usually the abdomen. Sometimes a temporary extraventricular drain (EVD) is placed.
What causes water in the brain?
Fluid on the brain can be caused by a genetic imbalance. An example is a condition known as aqueductal stenosis, where the narrow channel connecting two of the brain’s ventricles becomes blocked. Because the fluid cannot pass through the ducts, it becomes backed up and levels of CSF around the brain increase.
What causes fluid around the brain?
Hydrocephalus or fluid around the brain occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid puts extra pressure on the brain, causing it to swell. While the exact cause of fluid around the brain varies, it can be caused by a variety of medical conditions.
What is the life expectancy of someone with hydrocephalus?
Children often have a full life span if hydrocephalus is caught early and treated. Infants who undergo surgical treatment to reduce the excess fluid in the brain and survive to age one will not have a shortened life expectancy due to hydrocephalus. Adults who develop hydrocephalus typically have a shortened life span.