Question
What causes pediatric hydrocephalus?
Answer
Pediatric hydrocephalus is a disease characterized by head enlargement and brain dysfunction due to an obstruction in the cerebrospinal fluid circulation, which causes an increase in intracranial pressure. Since it may involve various factors such as brain malformations, infections, hemorrhages, and tumors, the symptoms can vary with the age of onset of the affected child. The main symptoms include restlessness, developmental delay, headache, dry vomiting, anorexia, and epilepsy. The signs include an increased head circumference, high fontanelle tension, difficulty looking up, papilledema, and abducens nerve palsy.