1. Genetics Can Play a Role
Genetics is the cause of some cases of hydrocephalus. In genetic cases, a child's DNA mutates before birth to cause obstructions to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. There is nothing a parent can do to prevent genetic hydrocephalus from forming, and prenatal testing may not catch it. In most cases, genetic hydrocephalus is immediately evident at the birth of a child, when the child appears having a head that is larger than normal.
2. Understand the Physical Causes
Sometimes, hydrocephalus is caused by external forces that affect the physical body. Infections, tumors, injuries, strokes and other physical issues can lead to blockages that affect the flow of spinal fluid. In most cases, the physical causes of hydrocephalus cannot be corrected once in place. At that point, treating it and managing the symptoms become the job of the doctors.
Children who have hydrocephalus are usually treated with the surgical placement of a shunt that drains off the excess fluid. Shunts typically need to be in place for the duration of a child's life. Even adults with hydrocephalus may need to have shunts installed to manage the condition, though sometimes simply monitoring it is enough. This is especially true for adults who have blockages but have normal pressure inside their heads.
3. Understand Congenital Causes
Some children are born with hydrocephalus, but the condition does not have a genetic cause. In these cases, the condition is said to be congenital. Most of the time, there is no immediately apparent cause of hydrocephalus in congenital cases. However, most doctors think that these cases are caused by prenatal infections or injuries that go unnoticed at the time. Like genetic hydrocephalus, there is nothing a parent can do to prevent this condition if it is of a congenital origin.
