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Clinical Findings of Children with Hydrocephalus

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Pediatric Hydrocephalus

Abstract

Hydrocephalus has many different causes. It can be acquired or congenital, associated with many different genes, syndromes, or chromosomal abnormalities. Prematurity resulting in hemorrhage is the most common cause. Signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus differ according to age groups. In infants, macrocephaly, frontal bossing, bulging anterior fontanelle, prominent scalp veins, sunset phenomenon, and increased muscle tone are the main signs. Poor feeding, irritability, and vomiting are the main symptoms. However, in older children, besides headache, nausea, and vomiting, slowly progressive dementia, gait disorder, and visual signs are commonly observed. The visual examination shows papilledema and decreased visual acuity. Sixth nerve palsies and some difficulty with up-gaze may also be present. Hydrocephalus also affects cognitive functions and may result in severe behavioral disturbances. In summary, hydrocephalus is a serious condition with severe potential consequences in children.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Neurology, Acıbadem University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Uğur Işık

  2. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Acıbadem University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Memet M. Özek

Authors
  1. Uğur Işık
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  2. Memet M. Özek
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Memet M. Özek .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Neurosurgery, Santobono Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, Naples, Italy

    Giuseppe Cinalli

  2. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Acıbadem University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey

    M. Memet Ozek

  3. Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France

    Christian Sainte-Rose

Section Editor information

  1. Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA

    Pat McAllister

  2. Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, Naples, Italy

    Giuseppe Cinalli

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Işık, U., Özek, M.M. (2018). Clinical Findings of Children with Hydrocephalus. In: Cinalli, G., Ozek, M., Sainte-Rose, C. (eds) Pediatric Hydrocephalus. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31889-9_46-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31889-9_46-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31889-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31889-9

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