My Son is 12, Diagnosed with Hydrocephalus at 1

Question

Doctor, my son is 12 years old and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at the age of 1. What impact does hydrocephalus have on a child? Will there be any sequelae?

Answer

The treatment for hydrocephalus can be divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. In terms of conservative treatment, it is recommended to keep the child’s head in an elevated position, limit fluid intake, and take diuretics, although the effectiveness of these methods is not very significant. For surgical treatment, there are various options available. Currently, the most commonly used procedure in China is the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. This surgery involves inserting one end of a silicone tube into the lateral ventricle and the other end into the peritoneal cavity, then placing a device containing a reflux pump beneath the skin. This allows the high-pressure cerebrospinal fluid to flow smoothly into the abdominal cavity, relying on the absorption function of the peritoneum to reabsorb and reduce the intraventricular pressure, promoting the growth and development of brain cells.Brain tissue development remains in a rapid growth stage after birth. Therefore, when hydrocephalus is detected in a child, it is advisable to undergo surgery as early as possible in order to expect that the patient’s motor and intellectual abilities can reach normal levels.