People can be affected by brain injuries at any age; however, it is often the very young who are especially vulnerable to sustaining serious and potentially fatal brain injuries. That is why it is the responsibility of physicians and other medical professionals to accurately identify the risks, causes and symptoms of pediatric brain injuries. Too often, however, preventable brain injuries are improperly diagnosed and/or treated in young children, resulting in permanent disability. The attorneys at Donovan & O’Connor, L.L.P., are committed to advocating on behalf of pediatric brain injury victims and their families.
According to kidshealth.org, hydrocephalus is a type of brain injury that affects many infants and young children. The condition is caused by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain, which causes pressure that can result in permanent damage to brain tissue. The early diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus can result in a child making a full recovery, but the advancement of the condition can lead to permanent cognitive and physical disabilities.
The buildup of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain can be attributed to numerous causes, including congenital abnormalities and physical injuries. Essentially, though, hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid fails to flow properly through ventricles in the brain. Fortunately, there are ways to identify, diagnose and treat hydrocephalus before it leads to permanent brain damage in many cases.
The signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus can depend largely upon the age of the child in question. For example, the soft spots in a young infant’s skull may appear to bulge as a result of the pressure caused by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. A baby’s head may also appear to be abnormally shaped and/or larger than normal. In older children, hydrocephalus symptoms can include everything from severe headaches to seizures to vomiting.
Given that doctors and medical professionals have the resources available to diagnose and treat brain injuries like hydrocephalus, the condition is preventable in many cases. Learn more about pediatric brain injuries by visiting our web page today.
