Who can have hydrocephalus?
Babies: Hydrocephalus may develop in the womb or after birth as a result of a congenital defect. This defect is not necessarily hereditary, but may result from something (including the condition known as spina bif da) that goes wrong during development of the fetus. Hydrocephalus may also result from complications associated with premature birth. Children, young and middle-aged adults: Hydrocephalus may develop during these years as a result of intracranial bleeding, (stroke), brain injury, tumour growth, meningitis or other factors. Hydrocephalus that occurs after birth as a result of one of these factors is called “acquired hydrocephalus.” Seniors: When it is diagnosed during these years, hydrocephalus is typically called “adult onset hydrocephalus.” It may take one of two forms: the common form of hydrocephalus which involves high intracranial pressure or normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
