Hydrocephalus Causes & Risk Factors

Recently Answered

• QWhat causes normal pressure hydrocephalus?

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  A Dr. Irene A. Semenov, DO , Neurology, answered on behalf of NorthShore University HealthSystem

  Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a form of hydrocephalus without an increase in the intracranial pressure. Hydrocephalus means that the spinal fluid containing ventricles inside the brain are enlarged. This condition presents with symptoms of urinary incontinence, abnormal gait, falls and dementia. About one third of cases are due to head trauma, intracranial bleeding or CNS infections, which lead to impaired cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF) absorption inside the brain. The remainder of the causes is still unknown.
• QWhich children are most at risk for hydrocephalus?

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  A Dr. Aria Fallah, MD , Neurosurgery, answered on behalf of UCLA Health

  The most common causes of pediatric hydrocephalus in children in the United States are brain bleeds as a result of prematurity, spina bifida, brain tumors, infection and head injury. Acquired hydrocephalus is caused by head injury or an obstruction in the brain, such as a tumor.