Question

What should I do if I discover fetal hydrocephalus at six months of pregnancy?

Answer

Hydrocephalus refers to an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which occurs due to a blockage in the production or circulation process, leading to an increase in fluid volume and pressure, expanding the normal spaces of cerebrospinal fluid and subsequently causing increased intracranial pressure and enlargement of the ventricles. Hydrocephalus is most commonly caused by a partial blockage in the cerebrospinal fluid circulation pathway, while an overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid is less common. For fetal hydrocephalus, there is currently no treatment available; it can only be addressed after birth. In cases of early onset or mild symptoms with slow progression, non-surgical treatments can be considered, including the use of diuretics or dehydration agents (such as acetazolamide, dichlorophenamide, furosemide, mannitol, etc.), as well as repeated punctures and fluid drainage through the anterior fontanelle or lumbar puncture. For cases with high ventricular pressure (exceeding 250 mmH2O) or those unresponsive to non-surgical treatment, surgical intervention is required. In severe cases of hydrocephalus with a head circumference over 50 centimeters, cortical atrophy thickness below 1 millimeter, and severe functional impairments and deformities, the effectiveness of surgical treatment is poor. It is necessary to closely monitor whether hydrocephalus will lead to fetal death.