Hydrocephalus Research Paper

Nutrition, Fitness, and Overall Wellbeing
Decreases the Chances of Developing
Congenital Hydrocephalus
Gabriela Salas
Miami Lakes Educational Center
Ms. Algaze
Period 1 and 3

Abstract
Hydrocephalus, meaning “water in the brain”, is an illness that affects one in every five-hundred Americans. Although the literal translation of the word means “water in the brain,” it is actually the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain cavity. There are two kinds of Hydrocephalus: congenital and acquired. In this paper, congenital Hydrocephalus is emphasized and the possible factors that might prevent it before birth. Within the nine articles provided, sufficient information was available in order to provide the reader with background knowledge
Hydrocephalus is a neurological impairment that results in the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain cavity. Cerebrospinal fluid is not a liquid which simply cushions the brain and carries chemicals around it; it is actively produced and transported and plays an essential biological role in developing the brain." The word Hydrocephalus comes from the Greek word ‘hydro’ meaning water, and ‘cephalus’ meaning head. Usually, the cerebrospinal fluid flows freely within the brain cavity because the lining through which it should be absorbed is inflamed because of an infection of blood in the fluid (Compton's by Britannica, 2011). In other scenarios, the channels through which the cerebrospinal fluid flows becomes blocked, therefore causing accumulation in one of the ventricles (Compton's by Britannica, 2011). There are two main types of Hydrocephalus: acquired and congenital (Zhang, Williams, Rigamonti, 2006). When a person develops Hydrocephalus after their skull is no longer malleable, it is usually because they’ve experience brain injury, or have developed a tumor or cyst on the brain or spinal cord (Compton's by Britannica, 2011). The pressure caused by the buildup can become life-threatening if it is not taken care of immediately. Normal pressure hydrocephalus, which is when The intracranial pressure gradually decreases but still maintains a slightly
In the last fifty years, there have been incremental advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Hydrocephalus; however, long term health outcomes for individuals with hydrocephalus remain unpredictable. The most common treatment for hydrocephalus—and the most common procedure performed by pediatric neurosurgeons in the United States—is surgical installation of a device called a shunt (Kinsman SL, Johnston MV., 2011). If the patient survives, there is a possibility that they will live with physical, mental, or neurological disabilities for the remainder of their lives. A second treatment option is a surgical procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). An endoscope is used to perforate a membrane in the floor of the third ventricle creating a pathway for cerebrospinal flow within the cavities in the brain. ETV is an important alternative as compared to shunting for obstructive hydrocephalus and may be useful in other cases as well. Shunt obstruction and malfunction occur in approximately one third of children in the first year after a shunt-related operation and studies have shown that ETVs can close up after time. We cannot overstate the importance of learning the signs and symptoms of treatment failure. The outlook relies solely on the cause. Hydrocephalus that is not due to infection has the best outlook, whereas those that have had tumors do not.