Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Normal pressure hydrocephalus, also known simply as hydrocephalus, is a condition in which excessive fluid builds up in the brain. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal.

Identification

• The symptoms of hydrocephalus depend on the age of the person with the condition. According to Mayo Clinic, hydrocephalus occurs most frequently in newborns with 1 in every 500 being born with it.

Infants

• The most common symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants include an enlarged head, seizures, a bulge at the top of the head and a downward fixation of the eyes.

Children and Adults

• For older children and adults, symptoms of hydrocephalus include headache, fatigue, issues with balance, confusion and other motor skill problems.

Warning

• If left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause permanent brain damage. In adults, signs of damage include urinary incontinence and dementia.

Causes

• Hydrocephalus occurs when the drainage of fluid from the brain becomes obstructed.