Hydrocephalus: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus symptoms can be quite subtle or very obvious depending upon age, rapidity of onset, cause, and how much damage has occurred.

Common symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants and small children

Infants and small children may not be able to express their symptoms directly, but some changes may be apparent including:

• Bulging of the soft spot on top of the head, near the front (anterior fontanelle)
• Developmental delays and failure to thrive
• Downward gaze
• High-pitched, shrill cry
• Increasing head size or change in head shape and facial features
• Irritability, fussiness, poor feeding, and poor sleeping
• Persistent vomiting
• Sleepiness

Additional symptoms of hydrocephalus in older children and adults

Older children who are able to express their symptoms and adults may have symptoms, such as:

• Changes in mood, personality or behavior
• Difficulty initiating movements or slowed movement
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading
• Excessive fatigue
• Headaches, which may be worse in the morning or when lying down
• Impaired balance and coordination
• Loss of vision or changes in vision
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Urinary incontinence (inability to control urination)

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

Hydrocephalus can have serious complications, so symptoms should be evaluated without delay. In some cases, hydrocephalus can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness such as passing out or unresponsiveness
• Change in mental status or sudden behavior change such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations or delusions
• High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
• High-pitched, shrill cries in an infant or small child
• Irritability, fussiness, poor feeding, and poor sleeping in infants and young children
• Respiratory or breathing problems such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, or choking
• Seizure
• Stiff or rigid neck
• Unusual sleepiness in a child or infant or difficulty waking a child or infant
• Worst headache of your life