How do I care for someone with congenital hydrocephalus?

The most important thing you can do when caring for someone with congenital hydrocephalus is seek immediate medical attention as soon as you notice the symptoms. Early surgical treatment is very important. With early treatment, many children with congenital hydrocephalus go on to live long and productive lives. If a shunt is implanted in your child's brain, following surgery, you will need to watch for complications with the shunt. Sometimes the area around the shunt becomes infected. Shunts can also become clogged. Over time, as a child grows, the thin tube that makes up the shunt may end up being too short and will need to be replaced. If the symptoms of hydrocephalus return or if your child shows signs of infection around the shunt (such as redness and swelling, soreness, or a fever), you should talk to your doctor right away. Because congenital hydrocephalus can cause brain damage that leads to problems with physical and mental development, seeking the advice and help of experts, such as physical rehabilitation therapists and educational specialists, is often an important part of caring for a child with hydrocephalus.