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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: Rapid head growth
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Re: Rapid head growth
by CCF NSG MD / gsh, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF NSG MD /gsh on August 25, 1998 at 17:39:32:
In Reply to: Rapid head growth posted by Tammie on August 25, 1998 at 09:49:35:
My 2 mth old son (dob 6/1) was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus at birth.
My question is: What would cause his head to grow at faster rate that normal, but not haveing any presurer and his ventricles not enlarging anymore than they were 1 mth ago.
His head was 39 cm at birth, 43 1/2 at 2 mths (7/29) and now almost one month later (8/25) his head is at 45 cm..would this be considered normal head growth without complication from the Hydrocephalus? He had an ultra sound yesterday (8/24) and there appeared to be no change in the size of his ventricles and his presurer numbers...Is this the correct way to measure his progession?
Thank you for your advice and since of direction reguarding our son.
Tammie
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______
Dear Tammie,
There are published charts for normal head growth in children. A measurement of 45 centimeters at 3 months of age would be considered abover the 98th percentile for your son's age. This may be from hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus may result from a number of different causes.
It may be obstructive, as in tumors or a bleed into the ventricles, or it may be non-obstructive from clogging up the arachnoid villi that drain CSF into the venous system. Non-obstructive causes include infections and the delayed effects from bleeding into the ventricles.
In your son's case the cause of hydrocephalus is not clear. He may have been born with congenital aqueductal stenosis, which blocks the drainage of CSF from the head. It is difficult to say whether the trauma you had while pregnant was significant. Symptoms from hydrocephalus are typically headaches, nausea, vomiting and sleepiness. A child may just be irritible and unconsolable. It is doubtful your son has NPH as this is an entity seen in older patients.
You need to speak to your son's physician as to his assessment of the cause of the hydrocephalus, and whether your son is symptomatic. If he is indeed symptomatic from hydrocephalus, then a shunt is indicated. Talk to your surgeon for some clear answers.
Good luck.
In Reply to: Rapid head growth posted by Tammie on August 25, 1998 at 09:49:35:
My 2 mth old son (dob 6/1) was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus at birth.
My question is: What would cause his head to grow at faster rate that normal, but not haveing any presurer and his ventricles not enlarging anymore than they were 1 mth ago.
His head was 39 cm at birth, 43 1/2 at 2 mths (7/29) and now almost one month later (8/25) his head is at 45 cm..would this be considered normal head growth without complication from the Hydrocephalus? He had an ultra sound yesterday (8/24) and there appeared to be no change in the size of his ventricles and his presurer numbers...Is this the correct way to measure his progession?
Thank you for your advice and since of direction reguarding our son.
Tammie
______
______
Dear Tammie,
There are published charts for normal head growth in children. A measurement of 45 centimeters at 3 months of age would be considered abover the 98th percentile for your son's age. This may be from hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus may result from a number of different causes.
It may be obstructive, as in tumors or a bleed into the ventricles, or it may be non-obstructive from clogging up the arachnoid villi that drain CSF into the venous system. Non-obstructive causes include infections and the delayed effects from bleeding into the ventricles.
In your son's case the cause of hydrocephalus is not clear. He may have been born with congenital aqueductal stenosis, which blocks the drainage of CSF from the head. It is difficult to say whether the trauma you had while pregnant was significant. Symptoms from hydrocephalus are typically headaches, nausea, vomiting and sleepiness. A child may just be irritible and unconsolable. It is doubtful your son has NPH as this is an entity seen in older patients.
You need to speak to your son's physician as to his assessment of the cause of the hydrocephalus, and whether your son is symptomatic. If he is indeed symptomatic from hydrocephalus, then a shunt is indicated. Talk to your surgeon for some clear answers.
Good luck.
