Question
Hello, I am seven months pregnant and went to the hospital for a check-up a few days ago. The doctor said that my child’s head has a bit of fluid, but not much. I want to know if this condition will harm the baby and what should I do?
Answer
Your situation involves the issue of fetal hydrocephalus. The causes may include genetic factors, viral infections, or nutritional deficiencies. It is recommended to undergo detailed examinations to determine the cause and closely monitor the fetus’s condition. If the fluid accumulation increases gradually, termination of pregnancy may need to be considered. Hydrocephalus can lead to excessive cerebrospinal fluid, affecting the development of brain tissue, which may impact the child’s intelligence. If the fluid accumulation is not caused by chromosomal abnormalities, surgical repair can be performed on the newborn after birth based on the treatment of the primary disease, but the results cannot guarantee that the newborn will achieve normal intelligence. Supplementing folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects to some extent, but the occurrence of neural tube defects may be related to individual dietary habits. It is recommended to start taking folic acid a few months before planning pregnancy, and due to your history of neural tube defect in fetal offspring, you should pay attention to regular checks during subsequent pregnancies to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.