My 36-week-old baby shows mild hydrocephalus. What to do?

Hello,

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Hydrocephalusmeans an increase in fluid content in the fluid spaces of the brain. This can keep increasing in size or remain the same. Hydrocephalus was detected in the last trimester. As it is now 36 weeks wait for the baby to get delivered. As there is fetal hypoxia your obstetrician might plan for delivery, most probably a cesarean, of which she is the best judge. I would also insist you to consult a fetal medicine specialist for the needful.

Once the baby is delivered, you should get an MRI of the brain and spine, within the first week of life. Because we also need to see the spine-related issues. Depending on the report (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), you need to consult a neurosurgeon, who will consider operating on the baby if required and will also suggest the best time for it. The type of surgery also will be discussed by neurosurgeons like shunt or external ventricular drain (EVD) or ventriculostomy. It is better to discuss these after the MRI. The outcome depends on the extent of the problem and the involvement of other parts of the brain. It would be guarded, because we do not know how the developing brain would be affected or how this should have happened. Some infections which the mother might have gotten in early pregnancy might have affected the baby's developing brain. Some genetic disorders might be there. The chromosomal analysis called karyotype will be required. Sometimes there is no cause. There is no treatment option with medication now. Other systems will be checked, like the heart, kidneys, etc.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

There is a possibility that the problem could be minor, but MRI after birth would be better to prognosticate. If the problem is less, there might not be much effect on the baby, but difficult to say now. Because we can make out only some details in the womb. Hope for the best.