Intracranial pressure in newborns is increased due to various factors, and sometimes may normally appear for a brief period. Parents should pay attention to the constant symptoms of ICP manifestation in order to take timely measures.
Causes of intracranial pressure in newborns
Cranial pressure in children is increased due to oxygen starvation during childbirth or pregnancy. Hypoxia can be caused by the following factors:
- prolonged labor - a prolonged period of childbirth is unfavorable for children;
- umbilical cord entanglement;
- severe toxemia during pregnancy;
- placental abruption .
The brain of the newborn tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen and produces excess fluid. As a result, it fills the skull and presses on the brain. After the birth of a gradual recovery of the norm and the elimination of these problems. At the same time, a number of infants still have elevated intracranial pressure. This is associated with hydrocephalus and other diseases.
Symptoms of intracranial pressure in newborns
Diagnose the increased cranial pressure in infants over the bulging fontanel, the divergence of cranial bones, an enlarged head, and visual defects. In addition to the main signs, attention is drawn to the subsidiary symptoms of intracranial pressure in newborns. They include:
- Attacks of inexplicable crying.
- Abundant regurgitation.
- Lack of sleep or restless sleep.
- Torsion of the head back.
- Sharp start.
- Bulge of the eyes.
Strongly increased intracranial pressure in newborns has undesirable consequences. This is a strabismus and a rapidly growing head. It should be noted that these cases are rare, and they are well treated.
Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis of ICP. Usually ultrasound, computer tomography, echoencephalogram is prescribed. In some cases, a puncture is taken.
Treatment of intracranial pressure in newborns
In today's medicine there is an approach of natural rehabilitation and refusal of drug therapy. One group of doctors believes that long-term breastfeeding, constant tactile contact and a balanced regimen are sufficient to remove unwanted symptoms. Another group treats with medication. As a rule, infants are prescribed Diacarb, Asparcum or Cinnarizin. In this case, the use of massage, physiotherapy, swimming, sedatives, vitamins is considered effective.