Hydrocephalus and Cerebral Palsy

Fact Checked

Hydrocephalus is an excessive buildup of fluid in the brain that can cause brain injuries and conditions like cerebral palsy if not treated. Treatments, such as shunt surgery, help babies who develop hydrocephalus. However, if hydrocephalus is not caught in time, it can lead to serious disabilities.

What Is Hydrocephalus?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, hydrocephalus is a term that refers to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormally building up in the ventricles of the brain.[1] The fluid buildup can cause severe pressure on brain tissue.

CSF is a colorless fluid that helps protect the spine and brain by cushioning them. However, when the fluid flow is blocked, a buildup occurs. The buildup can eventually cause numerous medical issues and, in some cases, death.

Types of Hydrocephalus

There are two main types of hydrocephalus, which include congenital and acquired.

Congenital Hydrocephalus

Congenital hydrocephalus occurs when babies are born with the condition. Common causes of congenital hydrocephalus include:

• Complications during the birth of a premature baby
• Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida
• Maternal infections, such as rubella
• Genetic abnormalities
• Arachnoid cysts
• Dandy-Walker syndrome

Acquired Hydrocephalus

Acquired hydrocephalus occurs after birth or during a traumatic birth. Common causes of acquired hydrocephalus include:

• Injuries that cause brain bleeding
• Fluid buildup due to hemorrhaging, such as an intraventricular hemorrhage
• Head injury
• Brain tumors
• Birth trauma
• Maternal meningitis

What Are the Symptoms of Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus should be treated right away. If you notice any signs that your baby might have hydrocephalus, talk to your doctor immediately:

• An unusually large head size, or a head that seems to change size rapidly
• A bulging area on the scalp
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness
• Vomiting
• Seizures

Does Hydrocephalus Cause Cerebral Palsy?

When the fluid builds up in the brain, it not only has the potential to stretch the skull, but the pressure on the brain can lead to brain damage, which, in turn, can lead to cerebral palsy.

According to research, children with abnormally large ventricles and hydrocephaly are at an increased risk for cerebral palsy.[2]

How Is Hydrocephalus Treated?

If diagnosed quickly, hydrocephalus can be managed. There are currently two standard treatment methods used.

A shunt, the most common treatment method physicians use, is a flexible tube surgically inserted under the skin of the patient’s brain. The tube drains the excess fluid, which is transferred to the patient’s abdomen. The patient’s body then absorbs the fluid.

Another treatment method is an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV). An ETV works by making a small hole in the patient’s third ventricle. This allows the fluid “trapped within the brain’s ventricles to escape into its normal pathway,” Boston Children’s Hospital physician Dr. Benjamin Warf reports.[3]

Other treatments for hydrocephalus include:

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Special education teachers for children with learning disabilities
• Social workers
• Mental health professionals

What Is the Prognosis for Hydrocephalus?

Early diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus are crucial. As mentioned earlier, if not caught in time or left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal.

However, with early detection, surgery, and therapy options, there is a chance that a baby with hydrocephalus can do well.

Failure to Detect Hydrocephalus

Parents may not be aware at first that their infant has hydrocephalus, especially if healthcare professionals fail to detect the signs and symptoms and make a diagnosis. Since it can take days for parents to notice the signs, the brain swelling could cause damage before medical treatment starts.

Along with cerebral palsy, failure to detect and diagnose hydrocephalus can also lead to speech delays, vision issues, seizures, mental and physical disabilities, and developmental delays.[4]

If your baby developed hydrocephalus and you suspect it was due to medical negligence, there is a chance you may have a valid medical malpractice lawsuit. Contact an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer for guidance.