Understanding about Hydrocephalus
Have we ever seen a child who has exceeded normal head size? Conditions of children who have an enlarged head is called hydrocephalus, which is very much in the skull containing liquid. The liquid is called the cerebrospinal fluid. Increasing the amount of fluid inside the skull will hit the brain and cause brain function is impaired.
Hydrocephalus is common in children and can sometimes occur before a child is born. Hydrocephalus can be associated with several causes including birth defect, bleeding in the brain, infection, meningitis, tumors, or head injury. Hydrocephalus can occur before the child was born, was due to factors descent or the presence of disease in women who are pregnant as exposed to toxoplasmosis.
Symptoms of hydrocephalus depend on the age of the child. In a baby, the most obvious sign of hydrocephalus is abnormally large head. This occurs because the external pressure continuously in the brain and cranium of hydrocephalus during the development and growth of the head. (That’s why the baby’s head is always carefully measured every check to a doctor). Symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants are vomiting, drowsiness, restless, unable to look upwards. In older children and adults, there is no enlargement from hydrocephalus (because the skull bones are solid and can not be enlarged). Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting and sometimes blurred vision. Hydrocephalus could cause problems in balance and coordination, and development that is late in walking and talking in children.
There are various methods of hydrocephalus treatment, one of which is included pipe installation operations to smooth the flow of excess fluid and relieve pressure to the brain. Pipe a plastic tube with a valve in one direction and the flexible pipe. Pipe placed into the ventricular system in the brain to divert fluid flow to other parts of the body, so the liquid will flow down and absorbed into the bloodstream.
As parents, we should have to pay attention to body condition and health of our children, so if there is abnormality in the body of our children, we can immediately take necessary action.