Question
A child has a head circumference of 52.8 centimeters, cannot speak, and is unable to walk independently. The child has recently been diagnosed with hydrocephalus. How should pediatric hydrocephalus be treated?
Answer
The clinical manifestations of hydrocephalus vary depending on the age of the patient. In infants with acute hydrocephalus, symptoms of increased intracranial pressure are usually quite evident, including skull fissures, an enlarged fontanelle, thinning scalp, visible scalp veins, and a luminous appearance of the head under strong light. Pediatric hydrocephalus is often associated with dysfunction in the cerebrospinal fluid circulation. During treatment, close monitoring and further examination are necessary to determine the specific cause and extent of the hydrocephalus, in order to formulate an appropriate treatment plan.