Question
A ten-month-old baby’s legs appear weak, and after hospital examination, it is found to be caused by hydrocephalus. Is hydrocephalus equivalent to cerebral palsy?
Answer
Hydrocephalus is a syndrome caused by an obstruction in the cerebrospinal fluid circulation and an increase in intracranial cerebrospinal fluid volume, leading to increased intracranial pressure. Children with this condition may experience intellectual impairment. Common symptoms include an enlarged skull, separated sutures, an enlarged fontanelle, bulging scalp, ptosis of the eyes, sunset phenomenon, accompanied by cyanosis of the skin, emaciated physique, delayed development, intellectual impairment, vision loss, and even vomiting and seizures. Patients with cerebral palsy have a lower body resistance and should avoid contact with patients suffering from infectious diseases and acute infectious diseases. Hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy are two different diseases. Although they may both affect children’s development, their etiology and treatment methods differ.