How is congenital hydrocephalus diagnosed?

Congenital hydrocephalus is sometimes diagnosed while a fetus is still in its mother's womb if a doctor notices physical abnormalities, such as a large head, during a routine ultrasound examination. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the fetus. After birth, a baby that exhibits symptoms of hydrocephalus, such as an usually large head, should be checked for hydrocephalus. The doctor will probably conduct a neurological examination (a test of brain function) and arrange for an imaging scan of the baby's head. Ultrasound or other imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), are likely to be used in the diagnosis. The imaging scan will show the doctor whether there is swelling in the brain.