Patient's question:
Hello, my uncle got married recently, and my aunt soon had a child. I am very excited about the arrival of my little cousin. However, my uncle is a bit worried because the doctor said during the check-up that there might be a possibility of hydrocephalus. My aunt is worried that it might affect the child's intelligence, so I thought, could it be such a coincidence? What is the probability of a fetus having hydrocephalus? Is it just worrying for nothing?Doctor's answer:
There are many causes of hydrocephalus, including excessive cerebrospinal fluid production, absorption disorders, or blockage of the mesencephalic aqueduct. Certain diseases such as intracranial hemorrhage, infections, and their sequelae can also lead to hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus can occur at any stage of pregnancy. Therefore, even if brain development is normal in the second trimester, hydrocephalus may still develop in the third trimester. Thus, prenatal ultrasound examinations are essential.