How Is Hydrocephalus Diagnosed?
Question: How is suspected hydrocephalus first noticed in infants?
Answer: It is often first suspected during routine health visits when head circumference is found to be increasing faster than expected for age. According to global literature, in about 80–90% of infants with hydrocephalus, the first warning sign is an upward deviation on percentile growth curve charts.
“For this reason, regular postnatal follow-up examinations are important for early diagnosis.”
Question: What is done if increased head circumference is detected?
Answer: After evaluation by a family physician or pediatric specialist, referral to a neurosurgery specialist may be made if necessary. The purpose is to clarify the diagnosis and establish an appropriate follow-up plan.
How is the diagnosis confirmed in infants?
The step-by-step process usually includes:
- Clinical evaluation:
- Head circumference measurements
- Fontanelle tension
- Neurological signs such as downward gaze (sunset sign)
- Imaging methods:
- Transfontanelle ultrasound: first-line in newborns and small infants
- MRI: detailed evaluation of brain structures
- CT: in emergency situations or specific clinical needs
According to the literature, diagnostic accuracy of imaging methods in hydrocephalus is above approximately 95%.