The SBHASA’s symbol is the daisy, which represents the challenges of spina bifida and hydrocephalus.The HEART of the flower represents the brain, which in the case of persons living with spina bifida is often affected by hydrocephalus.
The daisy’s petals are cloven and represent the various lesions caused by spina bifida.
The daisy’s leaf and stem are irregular and depict the unusual form of the spinal cord and backbone of a person born with spina bifida.
In small babies, where the bony plates of the skull haven't yet fused, the head may enlarge as the sutures (joins between bones) separate and the fontanelle (soft spot) bulge. The eyes may appear to look downwards (called the setting-sun sign). There may also be vomiting, muscle spasm and increasingly irritability.
Later there's delayed development and growth, learning disabilities, decreased movement, poor feeding, sleepiness and urinary incontinence.
In older children there may be headache, vomiting, blurred vision, loss of coordination and problems walking, confusion and drowsiness.
There are two types of hydrocephalus:
The main treatment is surgery, usually to insert a shunt (long tube) that drains fluid from the brain,normally into the abdominal cavity, allowing the fluid to drain away Sometimes it's possible to remove the obstruction to the flow of CSF.
Untreated hydrocephalus has a high mortality rate and there may be extensive brain damage.
With treatment children may lead a fairly normal life, depending on the cause of the condition. However, there may be persistent neurological problems and there's a considerable risk of complications, such as brain infection and problems related to the shunt.
SOURCE: BBC HEALTH GUIDE
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus means 'water on the brain' and is an excessive amount of fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord called cerebrospinal fluid (or CSF).Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the cause of the hydrocephalus, the age at which it develops and the extent of damage to the brain. There may be no symptoms.In small babies, where the bony plates of the skull haven't yet fused, the head may enlarge as the sutures (joins between bones) separate and the fontanelle (soft spot) bulge. The eyes may appear to look downwards (called the setting-sun sign). There may also be vomiting, muscle spasm and increasingly irritability.
Later there's delayed development and growth, learning disabilities, decreased movement, poor feeding, sleepiness and urinary incontinence.
In older children there may be headache, vomiting, blurred vision, loss of coordination and problems walking, confusion and drowsiness.
Causes and Risk Factors
In hydrocephalus, CSF builds up and puts pressure on the brain, squashing the delicate tissues and causing the chambers or ventricles within the brain to swell. Without treatment damage or destruction of the brain tissues may occur.There are two types of hydrocephalus:
- Non-communicating hydrocephalus - the flow of CSF through the brain is blocked.
- Communicating hydrocephalus - either too much CSF is produced, or it isn't reabsorbed back into the tissues as it should be, so volume increases.
- Bleeding in the brain (for example if a baby is born very preterm)
- Congenital malformations (structural abnormalities that are present from birth)
- After infections in the brain
- Brain tumours
- Abnormalities in the blood vessels in the brain
Treatment and Recovery
The aim of treatment is to reduce and control the pressure of fluid within the skull to minimise damage to the brain.The main treatment is surgery, usually to insert a shunt (long tube) that drains fluid from the brain,normally into the abdominal cavity, allowing the fluid to drain away Sometimes it's possible to remove the obstruction to the flow of CSF.
Untreated hydrocephalus has a high mortality rate and there may be extensive brain damage.
With treatment children may lead a fairly normal life, depending on the cause of the condition. However, there may be persistent neurological problems and there's a considerable risk of complications, such as brain infection and problems related to the shunt.
SOURCE: BBC HEALTH GUIDE
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