What Are the Symptoms of Hydrocephalus in Babies?

Question

What Are the Symptoms of Hydrocephalus in Babies?

Answer

The clinical manifestations of pediatric hydrocephalus are predominantly congenital in nature, with the main symptoms including: (1) Enlarged head circumference, an open anterior fontanelle by the age of 2, and an imbalance in proportions where the head is larger than the trunk. The skull portion is larger than the face, with a particularly prominent forehead. The scalp becomes thin, shiny, and the scalp veins become dilated due to circulatory obstruction. (2) In some cases, the anterior fontanelle gradually increases in size weeks or months after birth, known as the “sunset sign,” which is one of the characteristic signs of hydrocephalus. (3) Severe cases may be accompanied by varying degrees of intellectual disability, developmental delays, and epilepsy seizures.