Question
Lately, I’ve been feeling unwell, and I’ve noticed an enlarged fontanelle. Is this situation serious? Could it be pediatric hydrocephalus?
Answer
The clinical manifestations of pediatric hydrocephalus mainly include rapid head growth (the normal infant’s head circumference (occipitofrontal) increases by 1.2-1.3 millimeters per month by the earliest 6 months), with the skull being round and the forehead and top protruding. The fontanelle becomes enlarged and bulging, the sutures are widened, the skull deformities occur, there is a ‘crackling’ sound when percussed, hair becomes sparse, the temporal veins dilate, the superior conjunctiva is often exposed, appearing like a sunset, the child is listless, and cannot lift their head. Severe cases may be accompanied by brain dysfunction, manifested as epilepsy, vomiting, seizures, strabismus, nystagmus, language disorders, paralysis of limbs, ataxia, difficulty in walking, and incomplete mental development. For early or mild hydrocephalus cases, non-surgical treatment may be applicable. (Note: This answer is for reference only; for specific conditions, please consult a professional doctor.)