Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Skull of a newborn
Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Hydrocephalus
Alternative Names: Water on the brain Symptoms: EARLY SYMPTOMS IN INFANTS Enlarged head (increased head circumference) Bulging fontanelles (soft spots of the head) with or without enlargement of the head size Separated sutures Vomiting SYMPTOMS OF CONTINUED HYDROCEPHALUS Irritability, poor temper control Muscle spasticity (spasm) LATE SYMPTOMS Decreased mental function Delayed development Slow or restricted movement Difficulty feeding Lethargy, excessive sleepiness Urinary incontinence (loss of control over bladder) Brief, shrill, high-pitched cry Slow growth (child 0-5 years) Text Continues Below IN OLDER INFANTS AND CHILDREN The symptoms vary depending on the amount of damage caused by pressure in the brain. The symptoms may include the following or other symptoms: Headache Vomiting Vision changes Crossed eyes Uncontrolled eye movements Loss of coordination Poor gait (walking pattern) Mental aberrations (such as confusion or psychosis) Changes in facial and brow contours, eye spacing, or protrusion Signs and tests: When a physician taps fingertips on the skull, there may be abnormal sounds associated with thinning and separation of skull bones. Scalp veins may appear dilated. The circumference of the entire head may be large, or only part of the head may be enlarged, most commonly the frontal area. Head circumference measurements, repeated over time, may show progressive enlargement. The eyes may be depressed, with a "setting-sun" sign where the sclera (white portion of the eye) is visible above the iris (colored portion of the eyes). A neurologic examination may show specific deficits, and reflexes may be abnormal for the age of the child. Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>