Patient's question:
Medical history: Suffered from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy at birth. Current condition: Feeling generally normal, just the fontanelle is a bit high. What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus?Doctor's answer:
The main manifestation of hydrocephalus is the rapid and progressive enlargement of the head within weeks or months after birth. A normal infant's head circumference increases by 1.2-1.3 cm per month during the first six months of life, which is 2-3 times the normal rate. The head appears round, with a prominent forehead, abnormally enlarged vault, increased anterior body, separated sutures, and thinning or even transparency of the skull. The temporal and frontal veins are dilated, the orbits are rotated, and the sclera is frequently exposed (supraorbital prominence). The "falling sign" is present. The affected infants are lethargic and unable to lift their heads. In severe cases, it may be accompanied by brain dysfunction, such as epilepsy, visual and olfactory disturbances, nystagmus, strabismus, limb paralysis, and intellectual disability. Due to the compensatory enlargement of the infant's head, symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and papilledema are not prominent.