Can hydrocephalus be treated in utero?

During pregnancy, hydrocephalus is usually managed with observation. At this time, there is no fetal treatment for this disorder. If your baby has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, our team will carefully watch them for signs of distress, which may indicate a need for early delivery.

Can a shunt be placed in utero?

In fetal shunt placement, a shunt (hollow tube) is inserted through the mother’s abdomen and uterus into the fetus to drain fluid from a fluid-filled fetal space into the amniotic cavity.

What is the most common cause of hydrocephalus in utero?

True fetal hydrocephalus has a variety of causes. The most common form of isolated, obstructive hydrocephalus is so-called “aqueductal stenosis,” which is the blockage of CSF passage through the aqueduct of Sylvius. It accounts for up to 20 percent of cases of fetal hydrocephalus.

Do babies with congenital hydrocephalus survive?

Most of the newborns born with hydrocephalus will have a normal lifespan, and approximately 40 to 50 percent will have normal intelligence. Seizure disorders have been diagnosed in about 10 percent of children with hydrocephalus. The mortality rate for infants is approximately 5 percent.

What causes hydrocephalus in a fetus?

The most common causes of congenital hydrocephalus are: Spina bifida. Aqueductal stenosis. Brain malformations.

What causes a fetus to have fluid on the brain?

Congenital hydrocephalus can be genetic or caused by something else that occurred during pregnancy. Common reasons for congenital hydrocephalus include: Aqueductal stenosis, a type of blockage. The passageway between two of the ventricles in the brain is narrow or blocked, and fluid can’t circulate.

How is fetal hydrocephalus treated?

The most common treatment for congenital hydrocephaly is a shunt system. A surgeon will place a flexible plastic tube in the baby’s brain to drain the extra fluid. The other end of the tube goes under the skin and into the belly, or another place in the body where the excess CSF can be absorbed.

How long do babies born with hydrocephalus live?

What is the life expectancy of a child who has hydrocephalus? Children often have a full life span if hydrocephalus is caught early and treated. Infants who undergo surgical treatment to reduce the excess fluid in the brain and survive to age 1 will not have a shortened life expectancy due to hydrocephalus.

What causes babies to be born with hydrocephalus?

There is no one cause for the type of hydrocephalus babies are born with. It may be linked to a genetic defect or a complication of another disorder, such as spina bifida or encephaloceles. Children may also develop hydrocephalus after birth as a complication of: premature birth.

What causes hydrocephalus in fetus?

Can a baby recover from hydrocephalus?

Most children who have hydrocephalus make a successful recovery after surgery and go on to lead healthy lives. Many children with pediatric hydrocephalus have normal intelligence and physical development, but some may be slower to develop skills such as hand-eye coordination or learning to walk.

Congenital hydrocephalus: treatment in utero Congenital hydrocephalus occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 live births. Is is rarely lethal but frequently severely handicapping. It can be diagnosed by ultrasound as early as 20 weeks of gestation. When not accompanied by other serious malformations, it may be amenable to treatment in utero.

What is the best surgery for hydrocephalus in children?

Surgery for Hydrocephalus in Children 1 Shunt Surgery. Surgically implanting a shunt in a ventricle is the most common way to treat… 2 Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy. For children with noncommunicating hydrocephalus,… 3 What to Expect After Surgery. After shunt surgery, your child has stitches where…

What is fetal hydrocephalus?

Fetal Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain,” is a condition associated with a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in or around the brain. If left untreated, this can lead to brain tissue stretching, significantly affecting your child’s growth and development.

How is hydrocephalus diagnosed during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a routine ultrasound may detect hydrocephalus in the baby. In young babies, the skull bones are not yet fused together and there are soft spots, called fontanelles, between the bones. The most common sign of hydrocephalus in an infant is typically a large head or firm, bulging fontanelles.