Wednesday 12 November 2014

Hydrocephalus- Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Roona Begum
It was heartbreaking reading up a story, five months ago, in dailymail about Roona Begum- a three-year-old hydrocephalus patient. In three years, Baby Roona, as reported by dailymail, smiled for the first time after a successful surgery to reduce the size of her head. Looking at the smiling face of this pure soul I was torn in-between smiling with her and weeping at the condition she found herself.
Then again on the 6th of September, Angels carried Ndubuisi Nwachukwu Ibiam away while he was enjoying the warmth comfort of his mother.

I could still picture that day like the reflection of my face in a mirror on how my heart was literary torn into shreds by grief when news reached me that Baby Miracle, as he was fondly called, had left our world as pure and innocent as he had come.

Baby Miracle was an angel who struggled with congenital hydrocephalus for 2years and 3months and when all the efforts by his parents, good spirited individuals and the Indian surgeons failed to save him...he...left us in tears.

It was awfully sad but our solace is that he is happier now.
This is just two out of many registered cases of hydrocephalus. While some have survived it and lived a normal and happy life ever after, others have not been favoured with such luck.

Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus- a condition common among infants and the aged, is derived from two Greek words; Hydro (water) and Cephalus (head) which literary translates to water on the head.
This is a condition which arises from the super abundance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain leading to increased head pressure. It causes an abnormal increase of head size in newborns or infants.

Types of Hydrocephalus
There are basically two types of hydrocephalus:
  1. Congenital hydrocephalus 
  2.  Acquired hydrocephalus
Congenital hydrocephalus as the name implies is when a child develops the condition in the womb and is born with it. This could be as a result of genetic defects, neural tube defects including spina bifida or certain infections during pregnancy.

Acquired hydrocephalus on the other hand occurs during delivery or much later in the child’s life and it is as a result of complications following premature delivery (especially bleeding in the brain), brain tumour, severe head injuries, and infections of the brain and spinal cord. This type affects children, adults and older people.

Symptoms of hydrocephalus
The early detection of hydrocephalus is necessary for the immediate commencement of treatment. The symptoms vary according to the age of a patient.

In congenital hydrocephalus, there’s a significant increase in head size with visible swollen veins. This is so because the head of the infant have not yet strengthened and so would continue to expand to enable it accommodate the excess CSF.  Other symptoms are drowsiness, elevated temperature, irritability, problem with breathing, convulsion, frequent vomiting and peripheral vision loss.

For older children and the aged:
  1. Because the skull has hardened at this stage, the patient would not experience any abnormal increase in head size but a severe, throbbing headache. 
  2. The patient would have difficulties walking, talking and eating without assistance.
  3. The patient may experience memory loss 
  4.  Hazy vision which may affect both eyes
  5. Bladder control becomes difficult 
  6. Diplopia and strabismus 
  7. The person may also experience nausea, excessive sleepiness, seizure and vomiting.
How does hydrocephalus develop?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a colourless liquid produced mainly in the choroidplexus and stored in the ventricles of the brain. This liquid normally surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and protects them from injuries. It also supplies them with nutrients and serves the function of flushing out waste products through the blood stream.

In a day, the brain produces approximately 500ml of this liquid but not all of this quantity is left in the brain. It is continuously reabsorbed until only about 100-160ml is left at a time.
If a situation arises where any of the four ventricles are blocked or an unwanted amount of CSF could not be drained away from the brain, the liquid would continue to accumulate and eventually lead to hydrocephalus.

Prevention/Treatment
Though congenital hydrocephalus cannot be entirely avoided but certain actions could be taken in advance, especially by expectant mothers to reduce the risk of their foetus developing this condition.
  • Maintain a proper hygiene and eat healthy while pregnant. Eat lots of fruits and vegetable. Okra and other vegetables have been found to contain folate which is necessary to prevent neural tube defects- a medical condition which could also predispose a child in the womb to congenital hydrocephalus. Always ensure that the fruits and vegetables are properly washed. 
  • Guard yourself and your baby against head injuries. Be safety conscious and make sure your baby is not in any position where he or she could fall accidentally and crash his or her head.
  • Infectious diseases like chickenpox and meningitis could increase a child’s risk of hydrocephalus. Always ensure your baby gets all the recommended vaccines. 
  •  Premature labour and certain infections during pregnancy could predispose a foetus to hydrocephalus. This is why you should take prenatal care seriously. Always check up with your doctor to know how your pregnancy is coming on and make sure you promptly report any funny feeling to him for immediate medical investigation. 
  • Quit smoking and consume less of alcohol during pregnancy. Exercise as often as you can but make sure you confirm with your doctor on the exercise routine best for you.
Treatment
The prompt treatment of hydrocephalus is needed to avert complications and deaths. A child treated of hydrocephalus on time could go on living a normal life with fewer limitations.

Treatment usually involves surgically inserting a shunt in the brain to drain the excess CSF.
 Antibiotics may also be administered if the need arises but quickly see a doctor when your child shows the aforementioned symptoms of this medical condition.

photo credit: mirror.co.uk

11 comments:

  1. Really sad to read about her story . Thanks sharing the tips on Okra and other vegetables . Never knew what were missing. Great post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your time, Uzo. I am deeply grateful for your support.

      Delete
    2. Am pela, thanks to Dr Osaze who cured me of fallopian tube blockage and fibroid with his herbal tuber cleanser. My marriage was on the verge of collapsing, because I was unable to bear a child for my husband. Until I came across Dr osaze's recommendation on line, and I contacted him. And he administered his herbs on me. I now have a child I can call my own. In case you want to contact him for a similar problem, or all other issues, you can reach him through his email:
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      Delete
    3. Am Hellen, thanks to Dr oniha who cured me of fallopian tube blockage and fibroid with his herbal tuber cleanser. My marriage was on the verge of collapsing, because I was unable to bear a child for my husband. Until I came across Dr ONIHA's recommendation onLine,of how he has helped numerous of childless couples to have children with the help of his wonderful herbal medication, and I contacted him. And he administered his herbs on me.within the space of two months, i became pregnant, I now have a child I can call my own. In case you want to contact him for a similar problem, or all other infertilty issues, you can reach him through his email:
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      Delete
    4. Thankes to Dr OSAZE, who cured me of fallopian tube blockage and fibroid. i married for over eight years wthout a child of my own. because of the problem with my fallopian tubbe and fibroid, until i came in conntact with Dr OSAZE's testimony and recommendations online, on how he has cured and healed so many people of the same illment, and i decided to contact him, and he administered his medicatons on me, and i became pregnant in two monnths. incasse you wannt to reach him for a similar problem, you can call or whatsap him on +2347089275769 or email: DROSAZEHERBAL@GMAIL.COM

      Delete
  2. Poor baby, thanks for educating us on this awful disease and how to prevent it. Great post as always.
    www.effortlesslady.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome, effortless queen. I appreciate as always.

      Delete
  3. Awwwww how tragic - may baby rip. Thanks for the awesome tips and I shall share with colleagues. Good morning Chris

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amen!
    Thanks awfully.
    Good morning, dear.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wao. A very interesting site. Thanks for sharing.

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