Hydrocephalus Birth Injuries

Hydrocephalus is a very serious type of infant brain injury in which the ventricle spaces inside the brain become flooded by a backup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Hydrocephalus can occur in adults but it is most common in newborn infants who experience some type of external trauma to the head during childbirth. Hydrocephalus in newborns is typically attributable to a specific event that caused the birth injury. In older patients, the cause is often more difficult to ascertain. The focus of this page is birth injuries from hydrocephalus.

The blockage prevents the release of CSF but the brain continues to produce it so it begins to back up, like water in a clogged plumbing system. As the CSF accumulates it eventually floods into the brain ventricles. The flooding within the ventricles creates internal outward pressure inside the brain which can cause devastating internal damage.

The most common abnormalities that cause congenital hydrocephalus is aqueductal stenosis. Abnormalities that can trigger congenital hydrocephalus can sometimes be diagnosed during pregnancy. When properly diagnosed these conditions can be managed so good prenatal care is an important preventative measure. When hydrocephalus is the result of head trauma (or another perinatal event) during labor and delivery, it is often described as “acquired” rather than congenital.

Whether acquired or congenital, hydrocephalus is classified into one of two different types based on exactly where the cerebrospinal fluid is being blocked within its circulatory path:

• Communicating Hydrocephalus: communicating hydrocephalus (also called “non-obstructive”) occurs when the CSF circulation is being blocked somewhere outside of the brain.
• Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus: when the outflow of CSF is blocked inside the brain and ventricles, the condition is classified as non-communication or “obstructive” hydrocephalus.

Causes of Acquired Hydrocephalus During Childbirth

Acquired hydrocephalus is caused by external trauma or another event that occurs during labor and delivery that triggers a blockage of normal CSF flow and absorption. External trauma to the head during a difficult vaginal delivery is the leading cause of acquired hydrocephalus.

When the baby’s delicate head is subjected to excessive pressure during childbirth it can rupture blood vessels and cause swelling within the. The internal inflammation in the brain can obstruct pathways and block or restrict the outflow of CSF. The blockage causes a buildup of CSF that eventually floods into the ventricles.

Hydrocephalus can also be caused by intraventricular hemorrhage which occurs when blood vessels around the brain ventricles rupture and block CSF flow. This frequently occurs in premature babies with underdeveloped blood vessels.

Hydrocephalus Treatment and Prognosis

Sadly there is no effective cure or treatment for hydrocephalus and it is often difficult to prevent. But it is important to get the baby to a pediatric neurosurgeon as soon as possible after the diagnosis of intracerebral bleed, hydrocephalus, or increased intracranial pressure is made. When an early diagnosis is made, surgery is an option for the treatment of hydrocephalus.

The surgery is complex. The goal is to clear the blockage of CSF. This will hopefully restore normal circulation of the fluid out of the brain. This is typically accomplished by surgically implanting a ventriculoperitoneal shunt inside the head. Any type of major brain surgery like this is always a difficult and very high risk. But this is particularly true for newborn infants.

There are a host of potential post-surgical complications. The biggest risk is probably infection. You are putting in plastic tubing in the brain which risks introducing bacteria into the bloodstream. Another great risk is that, like any foreign object, the immune system attacks it and so it can become clogged. So the life expectancy on the shunt is about 4 or 5 years, with a 30% risk of failure in the first year.

The bottom line is that this is dangerous surgery fraught with perils. But a successful surgery might prevent the permanent destruction of the periventricular white matter that is so important for the child’s development.

Hydrocephalus Is Serious

In sum, hydrocephalus is an extremely dangerous medical condition that can be potentially fatal. The internal pressure caused by a buildup of CSF within the brain can do extensive internal damage as well as disrupt normal brain development. Hydrocephalus is also a progressive condition which means it can and often does get worse over time. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the pressure within the brain from hydrocephalus can cause damage that can lead to to cause seizures, cognitive and physical delays, and death.

Hydrocephalus – Studies & Research

Bramall, A. N., et al. (2022). Navigating the ventricles: Novel insights into the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus. EBioMedicine, 78, 103931. (This article looked at the recent literature on hydrocephalus.)

Scheller, J., & Wester, K. (2022). Is external hydrocephalus a possible differential diagnosis when child abuse is suspected? Acta Neurochirurgica, 164(4), 1161-1172. (This study looked at whether external hydrocephalus could be a differential diagnosis for abusive head trauma. The researchers found that some benign external hydrocephalus cases involving subdural hygromas and hematomas might be diagnosed as abusive head trauma. They recommended taking several measures to avoid misdiagnosis, including recognition of BEH’s clinical and radiological features and the consultation of pediatric neurologists.)

Frassanito, P., et al. (2021). Craniosynostosis and hydrocephalus: relevance and treatment modalities. Child’s Nervous System, 37(11), 3465-3473. (This study looked at the impact of hydrocephalus’ pathogenesis on syndromic craniosynostosis. The researchers advocated for reliable diagnostic criteria that would help identify active hydrocephalus. They also advocated for treatment algorithms and options that relieve intracranial hypertension and reduce the restenosis risk.)

Frassanito, P., et al. (2021). Ventriculosubgaleal shunt and neuroendoscopic lavage: refining the treatment algorithm of neonatal post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Child’s Nervous System, 37(11), 3531-3540. (This study looked at whether ventricular shunts and neuroendosdcopic lavage’s ability to treat neonatal post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The researchers found that both treatments were effective in managing NPHH. They recommended that healthcare providers consider these options. The researchers also recommended a treatment algorithm that combined them could reduce the multiloculated hydrocephalus and infection risks.)

Flores, Gabriel, et al. (2020). Risk Factors for Developing Hydrocephalus in Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal 39(1), 55-57. (This study looked at the development of progressive post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PPHH) secondary to intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH). The researchers found that the IVH severity was the most significant PPHH risk factor.)

Iratwar, S., et al. (2019).Ventriculosubgaleal shunt in children with hydrocephalus. Journal of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences University 14(3), 115-118. (This study looked at the effectiveness of ventriculosubgaleal shunts (VSG) in hydrocephalic children. Specifically, they quantified this by looking at the conversion rate to ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VP). The researchers gathered data on hydrocephalic children who underwent VSG shunting. They found that the VP shunt conversion rate was 58.6 percent. The researchers also found that hydrocephalus resolved on its own in one-fourth of cases. They concluded that VSG shunts were a simple and effective method for relieving hydrocephalus in children.)

d’Arcangues, C., et al. (2018). Extended experience with neuroendoscopic lavage for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in neonates. World Neurosurgery, 116, e217-e224. (This study focused on the effect of neuroendoscopic lavage (NEL) procedures on newborns with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The researchers found that 43 percent of newborns who underwent the procedure did not require a shunt. They also found that shunted infants who underwent an NEL did not require revision procedures. The researchers concluded that additional research on NEL’s impact on safety and neurodevelopment must be conducted.)

Dewan, M.C., et al. (2018). Global hydrocephalus epidemiology and incidence: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Neurosurgery, 130(4),1065-1079. (This article involved a meta-analysis and literature review of the congenital hydrocephalus prevalence. The researchers reviewed 78 articles. They found that Africa and Latin American had the highest congenital hydrocephalus rates, while the United States and Canada had the lowest. The researchers also found that low- and middle-income countries had higher rates than high-income countries.)

Melo, J.R.T., et al. (2017). Cerebrospinal fluid drainage options for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in premature neonates.” Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria, 75(7), 433-438. (This study focused on the effectiveness of cerebrospinal fluid drainage methods in post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalic newborns. The researchers found that the appropriate CSF drainage method varied by each case. They concluded that temporary CSF drainage would be appropriate for newborns with lower ages and birth weights, while a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt would be appropriate for full-term newborns with higher birth weights.)