ABSTRACT
Background: Congenital hydrocephalus, an important cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality in children, is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain
Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and the recent progresses in diagnosis of hydrocephalus as well as the changes in epidemiology and treatment outcomes of the disease
Methods: This is a descriptive study involved all neonates born in Maternity and child hospital in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, KSA, during the period from 1 January to 31 December 2017. Among 6000 delivered infant in 2017; there was 23 cases of hydrocephalus. Data was collected by using predesigned questionnaire which include questions designed to fulfill the study objectives
Results: the prevalence of hydrocephalus among studied infants was 0.38%. Consanguinity between parents was reported among 60.9% of the cases. Other congenital anomalies reported, cardiac anomalies 39.1%, spina bifida 17.4% and cleft palate 8.7%. Cause of hydrocephalus was 65.2% hereditary and 34.8% infection [secondary cause]. Swelling of the eyelid, increased vascular clarity on the skull, transparent skin in the head, the child's tendency to sleep, disorientation, irritability and nervousness, high crying, weakness of feeding and vomiting, delayed child skills, convulsions, increased size of the head, the sun's sign in the eye and the child is always looking down were the symptoms reported by the cases. 56.5% of the cases had shunt insertion and 43.4% had ordinary medical treatment. 30.4% of the shunt cases were complicated [17.4% had shunt blockage with infection and fever, 13% shunt blockage and 69.6% had other complications]. Outcome of the case; 39.1% were stable, 13% worsen and 47.8% died [34.7% died by complications, 8.7% during operation and 4.3% did not receive treatment]
Conclusion: The prevalence of hydrocephalus is comparable to that of other countries. More research is recommended because it is probable that the real prevalence of congenital hydrocephalus was underestimated and no account of how often abortions are performed among mothers of hydrocephalic fetuses. So more efforts from the ministry of health is needed