What is the treatment for hydrocephalus?
The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is to insert a tube, called a shunt, between the ventricles and another part of the body to divert the excess fluid to another site where it can then be reabsorbed back into the blood stream. Shunts have valves that regulate both the direction and amount of fluid that is drained. All shunts have three parts a ventricular catheter that is inserted into the ventricles of the brain, a valve, there are several different types, and tubing that carries the fluid from the valve to the area of the body that will accept the excess fluid. The most common types of shunts are ventriculo-peritoneal or VP shunts which drain the fluid from the ventricle to the abdominal cavity. Less commonly, ventriculo-atrial shunts (VA shunts, which direct the fluid into a vein, usually in the neck or the collarbone), ventriculopleural shunts (which direct the fluid to the chest cavity around the lungs) or the ventriculo-gall bladder shunt (which directs the fluid to the
It is more common for hydrocephalus to develop in the more severe cases of IVH (grades 3 to 4). Your doctor can tell if hydrocephalus develops by looking at the size of the ventricles on the ultrasounds. A baby who has hydrocephalus may not have any symptoms at first. Sometimes as the hydrocephalus progresses, the baby becomes sleepy, has more apnea (breathing pauses), or throws up feedings. Sometimes the only sign of hydrocephalus is that the head grows too quickly. Treatment for hydrocephalus is begun if the ventricles grow to a size that is thought to be harmful or if the baby has symptoms. Spinal taps A spinal tap is used to remove spinal fluid from the spinal canal to relieve pressure. This means a needle is put in the baby’s back to let fluid drip out. Spinal taps can be performed repeatedly. This procedure may allow time for the blood clots to clear by themselves and for the fluid pathways to open up. However, spinal taps may not work if the blockage prevents fluid from circulat
