Symptoms of Hydrocephalus
Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary by age. In babies, some of the most common symptoms are:
- Head growth that is larger than normal and crosses growth lines on the growth charts
- Bulging "soft spot" (fontanelle), the flat soft spot on top of your baby's head. A smaller soft spot at the back of the skull may also bulge. In both places, the bulge may be either soft or firm.
- Wide spots between the flat bones of the skull (splayed sutures). Sutures are the joints between the bones of the skull that grow together when a child is 2 or 3 years old. In hydrocephalus, these areas widen to make room for extra fluid.
- Appears to be looking down all the time (sunsetting eyes). The white part of the eye is visible above the colored part. The colored part is partly covered by the lower eyelid. This gives your baby a surprised look.
- Delayed development
- Poor eating
- High-pitched cry
- Sleepiness
- Irritability
In children with hydrocephalus, common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low energy and sleepiness
- Less ability to understand (lowered cognition)
- Memory problems
- Vision changes
Hydrocephalus Diagnosis
Doctors will examine your child, looking for signs of hydrocephalus. They may also use techniques to monitor pressure inside your baby's head. Doctors also use imaging tests to see signs of hydrocephalus. These tests include:
- CT scan (computerized tomography) of the head
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
If your child has hydrocephalus, doctors may use ultrasound images of the brain to monitor the condition.