My friend's son born with hydrocephalus.. what is hydrocephalus?

Question

what causes it...?

Answer 1

You have a good point of start here at Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hydrocephalus

PS: I really hope you got the issues mentioned in your other questions solved. Yes: you have the right to be happy.

Answer 2

What Is Hydrocephalus?


Hydrocephalus comes from the Greek: "hydro" means water, "cephalus" means head. Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities called ventricles inside the brain. CSF is produced in the ventricles, circulates through the ventricular system and is absorbed into the bloodstream. CSF is in constant circulation and has many important functions. It surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as a protective cushion against injury. CSF contains nutrients and proteins necessary for the nourishment and normal function of the brain. It also carries waste products away from surrounding tissues. Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of CSF that is produced and the rate at which it is absorbed. As the CSF builds up, it causes the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase.

Hydrocephalus that is congenital (present at birth) is thought to be caused by a complex interaction of environmental and perhaps genetic factors. Aqueductal stenosis and spina bifida are two examples. Acquired hydrocephalus may result from intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, head trauma, tumors and cysts. Hydrocephalus is believed to occur in about 2 out of 1,000 births. The incidences of adult-onset hydrocephalus and acquired hydrocephalus are not known.

How Is Hydrocephalus Treated?

There is no known way to prevent or cure hydrocephalus. The most effective treatment is surgical insertion of a shunt. Learn more about shunts. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is growing in popularity as an alternative treatment method for hydrocephalus. Learn more about third ventriculostomy.

Answer 3

Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain It is usually due to blockage of CSF outflow in the ventricles or in the subarachoid space at the base of the brain. This increase in intracranial volume results in elevated intracranial pressure and possible compression of the brain.

The most common cause of hydrocephalus is CSF flow obstruction, hindering the free passage of cerebrospinal fluid through the ventricular system and subarachnoid space (e.g., stenosis of the cerebral aqueduct or obstruction of the interventricular foraminae - foramen of Monro secondary to tumors, hemorrhages, infections or congenital malformations).

Hydrocephalus can also be caused by overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid.

Answer 4

"What is Hydrocephalus?


Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the primary characteristic is excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. Although hydrocephalus was once known as "water on the brain," the "water" is actually cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) -- a clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The excessive accumulation of CSF results in an abnormal dilation of the spaces in the brain called ventricles. This dilation causes potentially harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain. Hydrocephalus may be congenital or acquired. Congenital hydrocephalus is present at birth and may be caused by genetic abnormalities or developmental disorders such as spina bifida and encephalocele. Acquired hydrocephalus develops at the time of birth or at some point afterward and can affect individuals of all ages. For example, hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when there is damage to the brain caused by stroke or traumatic injury. Normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs most often among the elderly. It may result from a subarachnoid hemorrhage, head trauma, infection, tumor, or complications of surgery, although many people develop normal pressure hydrocephalus without an obvious cause. Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary with age, disease progression, and individual differences in tolerance to CSF. In infancy, the most obvious indication of hydrocephalus is often the rapid increase in head circumstance or an unusually large head size. In older children and adults, symptoms may include headache followed by vomiting, nausea, papilledema (swelling of the optic disk, which is part of the optic nerve), downward deviation of the eyes (called "sunsetting"), problems with balance, poor coordination, gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, slowing or loss of development (in children), lethargy, drowsiness, irritability, or other changes in personality or cognition, including memory loss. Hydrocephalus is diagnosed through clinical neurological evaluation and by using cranial imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or pressure-monitoring techniques."
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hydrocephalus/hydrocephalus.htm#What_is

Answer 5

Hydrocephalus (water-head, term derived from Greek) is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain, usually due to blockage of CSF(CerebroSpinal Fluid) outflow in the ventricles or in the subarachoid space at the base of the brain. This increase in intracranial volume results in elevated intracranial pressure and possible compression of the brain.
it can happen because of hemorrhage, infection , some hereditary disorders, and …

for more information you can check this site:
http://www.hydroassoc.org/

Answer 6

It is a usually congenital condition in which an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of the brain, destroying much of the neural tissue. You can find more information on it at webmd.com.