What is hydrocephalus in children, and how do you treat it?

Hydrocephalus is often known as “water on the brain.” It’s a condition where the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that bathes the brain doesn’t circulate or drain properly, causing an excess of fluid in the brain’s ventricles (hollow spaces). In infants and children, this can make the head enlarge and put pressure on the developing brain, leading to symptoms like a rapidly growing head size, bulging soft spot, seizures, or developmental delays. The good news is that hydrocephalus can be very effectively treated. The most common treatment is placing a VP shunt (ventriculoperitoneal shunt). A shunt is a thin, flexible tube that neurosurgeons implant; it diverts the extra fluid from the brain to another part of the body (usually the abdomen) where it can be absorbed. This relieves the pressure on the brain. Another treatment in some cases (especially older children) is an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), where using a tiny camera, the surgeon creates a small hole in one of the ventricle walls to bypass the blockage and let fluid flow out normally, sometimes avoiding the need for a shunt. With timely diagnosis and treatment, children with hydrocephalus can lead normal, healthy lives.