Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid in the brain, or more precisely, cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricular system, which causes potentially damaging increased pressure in the head. Most children who have it are born with it.
Symptoms
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Difficulty focusing the eyes
- Unsteady walk or gait
- leg weakness
- Sudden falls
- Irritability
- Drowsiness.
Treatment
The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical insertion of a drainage system, called a shunt. It consists of a long, flexible tube with a valve that keeps fluid from the brain flowing in the right direction and at the proper rate.
