With a certain form of hydrocephalus, it is simply impossible not to notice symptoms in infants. Therefore, both the doctor and the parents just get used to the idea that they will have a long and complicated treatment for the crumbs.
Types and signs of the disease
Just want to note that hydrocephalus in the location of the location is of three types: internal, external and mixed. It is not possible to determine the first type at birth. Only with further observation of the child can you notice that something is wrong with the baby. External hydrocephalus immediately speaks of itself. She betrays herself that the baby is born with an enlarged head, which often leads to complications during childbirth. This type of disease is determined by ultrasound even during intrauterine examination of the fetus. A mixed species can consist of different characteristics of the first and second types.
Symptoms of external hydrocephalus
At birth, the following symptoms indicate the hydrocephalus of the brain in children:
- Big head. Normally, the circumference of the head at birth is 33.0-37.5 cm.
- There is a symptom of the "setting sun": the eyeballs are displaced under the lower eyelid.
- A protruding fontanel. Normally, it is flat, but in this case, parents will immediately see that it is as if "pouted."
- At the temples you can observe a well-defined venous network, which can spread to the forehead of the baby.
- The frontal lobe of the baby's head protrudes strongly forward.
- Very thin skin on the head. This symptom is called "marble skin".
All these signs refer to external hydrocephalus in children, which very often frighten new parents. The causes of the birth of babies with this disease can be intrauterine infections and hereditary syndromes.
Symptoms of internal hydrocephalus
The internal and mixed form of hydrocephalus is not easy to detect and only a highly qualified doctor can do this.
The signs of internal hydrocephalus in children are manifested in the following:
- Sleepiness of the baby. A child can sleep for a long time and it can be difficult to wake him up.
- Capriciousness and poor appetite.
- Frequent regurgitation.
- Cramps of the extremities, tremor of the chin.
- Problems with vision and chaotic movement of eyeballs.
The farther the baby grows, the more his head will grow. For children of this age, measuring the circumference of the head is an obligatory procedure every month. The increase in the volume of the head should not exceed 3 cm per month. You should also pay attention to the proportionality of the chest and head. The latter should not be too large. In addition, with the disease will be observed a development gap from their peers. The child will not react with interest to the appeals of his mom and dad, and will also be prone to obesity. Signs of hydrocephalus in children up to a year can be called if the baby:
- Do not keep your head at three months old;
- Do not overturn;
- to toys is indifferent;
- is inactive.
Symptoms of mixed hydrocephalus
The symptoms of mixed hydrocephalus in a child can be completely varied. For example, protruding forehead and apathy to the outside world, or eyes with "the symptom of the setting sun" and a poor appetite.
To avoid a situation where your baby may show up the acquired form of this disease, try not to allow injuries to the child's skull.
The first signs of hydrocephalus in children may be different. It all depends on what kind of disease it is and in what form it occurs. Once you have found signs of hydrocephalus, without hesitation, you should consult a doctor. And to confirm the diagnosis, you will definitely be assigned the following tests: tomography, ultrasound of the brain, examination of the ophthalmologist and fluoroscopy of the skull.