By: Sam Squires

3rd period

Its scientific name is hydrocephalus

In lamen’s terms it is referred to as “water on the head”.

Titles

Hydrocephalus can be caused by genetic defects, certain infections during pregnancy, premature birth, meningitis, tumors, traumatic head injury, or in some brain operations.

Cause/ Transmission

Hydrocephalus is indiscriminate about who it affects. Any gender, age, or race can be diagnosed with Hydrocephalus.

1 or 2 children out of 1,000 have Hydrocephalus, making it as common as Down’s syndrome.

It mostly occurs in children compared to adults. It also is estimated to affect .5% of people over the age of 65.

Who is Affected?

The brain has ventricles that produce cerebrospinal fluid that flows over the brain, through the skull and down the spinal cord. This provides the spinal cord with nutrients and acts as a cushion. It is then absorbed into the bloodstream to regulate the cycle.

•Hydrocephalus can occur when any of the following occur.

1. When too much cerebrospinal fluid is produced2. Obstructions block the fluid from regulating3. The bloodstream can’t absorb all the fluid

being produced

How the CNS is Affected

Unusually large head size

Eyes that look like they bulge outward, or is incapable to look upward when the child is facing forward

Very visible veins in the scalp

Difficulty with reasoning, memory, speech or other learning and communication abilities

Constant sleepiness or difficulty remaining alert

A small appetite

Frequent moments of irritability, often for no apparent reason

Bouts of high-pitched crying

Severe episodes of vomiting

Seizures

Symptoms

• Most cases are diagnosed before birth, at birth, or in early childhood. If this is detected before birth it might be necessary to remove the baby early using a C-section to stop possible brain damage.

• HC can be detected using ultrasonography, MRIs, computed tomography, or pressure monitoring techniques.

• With a successful treatment individuals can live long healthy lives. If not noticed it will most likely be fatal.

Prognosis

There currently is no cure for hydrocephalus only treatments.

One treatment is to place a “shunt system” to redirect the flow of some of the cerebrospinal fluid. This way the body can absorb it so it doesn’t build up around the brain. The excess fluid is deposited somewhere were it can be absorbed; usually some where in the abdominal area.

There is also another treatment called a ventriculostomy. This is where a small incision is made in the bottom of or between one of the ventricles to allow the cerebrospinal fluid to flow out of the brain.

Cure/Treatment

Ferdinand I (19 April 1793 – 29 June 1875) • He was emperor of Austria • President of the German Confederation• King of Hungry and Bohemia• He stepped down from the throne due to his

hydrocephalus

Significant Cases

• The UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) has state of the art treatments for Hydrocephalus.

• John Hopkins hospital also offers a great treatment for Hydrocephalus.

• The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation currently hosts fundraisers from costume contests to bowling events to raise money to help find a cure for Hydrocephalus.

• http://www.hydrocephaluskids.org/wordpress/

Organizations/Specialty Hospitals

• http://www.hydroassoc.org/about-the-hydrocephalus-association/hydrocephalus-media-resources/hydrocephalus-statistics/

• http://www.healthnewsflash.com/conditions/hydrocephalus.php

• http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1116/mainpageS1116P1.html

• http://www.whoislog.info/profile/ferdinand-i-of-austria.html

Works Cited