Fetal Ventriculomegaly
Overview
Causes
It may be caused by problems with how the brain grows. It may also be caused by the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord. It should move smoothly. If its flow is slowed or stopped, it can put pressure on the ventricles and make them get bigger.
Risk Factors
Things that may raise the risk of this problem in a child are:
- Brain cysts
- Spina bifida
- Bleeding within the brain
- A rare birth defect called agenesis of the corpus callosum
Certain infections of the pregnant mother can raise the risk. These are:
- Cytomegalovirus —an infection caused by a type of herpes virus
- Toxoplasmosis —an infection linked to cat stool or infected food
- Syphilis —a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- Chickenpox
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis—a virus spread by mice (rare)
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Ventriculomegaly)
RESOURCES
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology http://www.acog.org
Women’s Health—US Department of Health and Human Services http://www.womenshealth.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada http://www.sogc.org
References
Craig A, Lober R, et al. Complex fetal care: Implications of fetal ventriculomegaly: a neurosurgical perspective. NeoReviews. 2015;16;e254. Available at: http://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/16/4/e254. Accessed November 4, 2020.
Hydrocephalus in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hydrocephalus-in-children. Accessed November 4, 2020.
Pediatric ventriculomegaly. Children’s National Health System website. Available at: http://childrensnational.org/choose-childrens/conditions-and-treatments/fetal-carepregnancy/ventriculomegaly. Accessed November 4, 2020.
Ventriculomegaly and hydrocephaly. Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital website. Available at: http://childrens.memorialhermann.org/conditions/ventriculomegaly-and-hydrocephaly. Accessed November 4, 2020.
Ventriculomegaly in children. Boston Children’s Hospital website. Available at: http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/ventriculomegaly. Accessed November 4, 2020.
Wright Z, Larrew TW, et al. Pediatric Hydrocephalus: Current State of Diagnosis and Treatment. Pediatr Rev. 2016 Nov;37(11):478-490.