Question

Dear doctor, I have a premature baby who was born 42 days early and is now 7 months old. The baby was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth and underwent surgery two days after birth. Recent check-ups have found that the baby has moderate hydrocephalus and poor brain development. I would like to know, in the case of moderate hydrocephalus, is surgical treatment necessary?

Answer

Hello, brain hypoxia-ischemia may lead to brain damage, which can then cause cerebral palsy. Factors that cause obstacles in the maternal-fetal blood circulation and gas exchange, or lead to neonatal hypotension and venous congestion, may all cause brain ischemia-hypoxia. These factors include:

  1. Maternal factors: such as pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, heart failure, massive hemorrhage, anemia, shock, or drug abuse.
  2. Placental abnormalities: such as early placental abruption, placenta previa…