Fetal Ventriculomegaly

Overview

Definition

Fetal ventriculomegaly is the enlargement of the fluid-filled spaces of the brain called the ventricles. This type of ventriculomegaly occurs in babies before they are born.

Causes

Fetal ventriculomegaly may be caused by problems with brain development or the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord. Normally the fluid can move smoothly around the brain and spine. If CSF flow is slowed or stopped it can put pressure on the ventricles and make them expand.

Risk Factors

Conditions in the baby that may increase the risk of ventriculomegaly include:

  • Intracranial cysts
  • Spinal bifida
  • Agenesis of the corpus callosum
  • Intracerebral hemorrhage

Certain infections of the mother during pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal ventriculomegaly. Infections associated with ventriculomegaly include:

  • Cytomegalovirus—an infection caused by a type of herpes virus
  • Toxoplasmosis—an infection associated with cat feces or infected food
  • Syphilis—a sexually transmitted disease
  • Chickenpox
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis—a virus spread by mice (rare)

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms after birth may include:

  • Rapid head growth
  • Bulging soft spot
  • Protruding scalp veins
  • Difficulty with eye movement, including inability to look up and staring downward
  • Developmental delays
  • Difficulty feeding
  • Vomiting
  • Irritability or unusual sleepiness

Diagnosis

Fetal ventriculomegaly is often found during a routine prenatal ultrasound. Further testing may be done by specialists and after birth.

During pregnancy, the fetus’ condition may be assessed with:

  • A high-resolution fetal ultrasound
  • A fetal MRI scan
Abdominal Ultrasound
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Treatments

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Monitoring

Additional ultrasounds may be done to monitor the fetus’ condition. Sometimes fetal ventriculomegaly resolves on its own.

Draining the CSF

If the condition is severe or worsens, alternative pathways will be needed to drain the CSF. This can be done by inserting a ventriculoperitoneal shunt after your child is born.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent fetal ventriculomegaly.

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.

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 http://www.hc-sc.gc.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 June 6, 2016.

Hydrocephalus in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated December 21, 2015. Accessed June 6, 2016.

Pediatric Ventriculomegaly. Children’s National Health System website. Available at: http://childrensnational.org/choose-childrens/conditions-and-treatments/fetal-carepregnancy/ventriculomegaly. Accessed June 6, 2016.

Ventriculomegaly. The Fetal Treatment Center website. Available at: https://fetus.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/ventriculomegaly. Accessed June 6, 2016.

Ventriculomegaly and hydrocephaly. Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital website. Available at: http://childrens.memorialhermann.org/conditions/ventriculomegaly-and-hydrocephaly/. Accessed June 6, 2016.

Ventriculomegaly in children. Boston Children’s Hospital website. Available at: http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/ventriculomegaly. Published 2012. Accessed June 6, 2016.