explain to me more bout hydrocephalus?

Question

enlagement of the head. small babys are affected with this disease. mostly people have hydrocephalus die early.

Answer 1

Hydrocephalus is the build-up of pressure in the brain due to an excessive accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid. It may result from genetic abnormalities or injuries. It does tend to happen more in children, but it does happen in adults and there is a condition called "normal pressure hydrocephaly" that occurs in the elderly that can be mistaken for dementia.



Untreated, persons can have brain damage or death. There is a very successul treatment, often surgically implanting a drain (called a shunt) that drains off excess fluid. Early treatment is very important.



See resources below.

Answer 2

To tag on to PsychProf:



Fluid washes over the brain and drains out. BUT, when it cannot drain normally, the fluid can build up. In a baby, the head might physically enlarge.



Because adults have a solid skull, the fluid pressure build up tends to compress the brain tissue. While surgery is an option (and fairly effective), a typicaly outcome is preventing the problem becoming worse.



If you suspect this in an adult (especially one beginning to display dementia and who had some significant blows to the head), a CT scan might be in order.

Answer 3

it is excess fluid on the brain. if the child does not die from this, usually there is some type of brain damage.