Clinical and etiological features of hydrocephalus in infants

Abstract

Aim. To analyze the causes and clinical course of hydrocephalus in infants and its association with various etiological factors.Materials and Methods. The study involved a retrospective analysis of data from 47 infants who were hospitalized in the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department of the Republican Scientific Center of Neurosurgery named after Shifobakhsh between the years 2020 and 2022. The patients were evaluated using a comprehensive range of diagnostic techniques, including CT, MRI, neuro-ophthalmoscopy, and neurosonography.Results. Among the infants with hydrocephalus, infectious-inflammatory CNS diseases were identified as the primary cause in 23 cases (48.9%), cranial-brain trauma in 12 cases (25.6%), brain tumor processes in 7 cases (14.9%), and congenital factors in 5 cases (10.6%). All 47 (100%) patients presented with generalized cerebral symptoms and exhibited signs of hypertensive-hydrocephalic syndrome.Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate that hydrocephalus in infants most commonly develops following the occurrence of infectious-inflammatory CNS diseases, while congenital causes are relatively less prevalent. The investigation of the clinical features and etiology of hydrocephalus enables the selection of appropriate diagnostic strategies and optimal surgical treatment methods.