What is Congenital Hydrocephalus?
Congenital hydrocephalus, commonly referred to as water on the brain, is a congenital birth defect in which the brain is surrounded by too much cerebrospinal fluid, causing excess pressure on the brain. This pressure can damage the infant’s brain, causing mental and physical problems. With early detection, treatment is available to limit long-term effects, although the success of treatment depends on how early the condition is diagnosed, what causes the excess fluid, how much excess fluid is present, and how well the infant responds to treatment. Only .1 percent of infants are afflicted with congenital hydrocephalus.
