DANDY WALKER SYNDROME

Hi my name is Liz and my son is 4months old and has been diagnosed with Dandy Walker Syndrome.  The problem is I don't know what questions I should be asking as every case seems to very different.  I main concern is his qualilty of life and life expectencey with DWS.  It does have fluid on his brain but not enough for the doctors to be concerned.  As a parent I want to do what i can but don't know where to start can you offer me some suggetions or questions i should be asking the doctors as at this stage I can only go on what they tell me and i feel I need to have Degree in Neurology to understand what they are saying.

kind regards

Liz

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Dandy walker is a congenital brain malformation involving cerebellum with fourth ventricle enlargement, cyst in the base of skull and brain area absence between the 2 cerebellar hemispheres. Treatment is of the associate problems. Ventricular peritoneal shunts, genetic counseling for future children, etc. prognosis is variable. Some children will have normal cognition and others never develop normal intellect even with early drainage of excess fluid. Presence of multiple congenital defects shorten life span. Take care.

[liz443]

As he does have fluid on his brain and if we leave it will his intellect hot develope proberly or should we getting it drained.  I have heard shunts can cause problems as well as they can become infected.  What do you suggest we do.

Liz