Diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of fetal hydrocephalus / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Fetal hydrocephalus is a kind of congenital malformation,which is characterized by the enlargement of the ventricular system and the obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid.It is not accompanied by a primary brain atrophy,with or without the increase of head circumference.Early diagnosis and early treatment is very important.Without the timely inter-vention,most of the patients will die during the perinatal and infant period,and even the survivors often suffer from cere-bral palsy and mental retardation.However,the long -term prognosis and clinical course of patients with hydrocephalus is not yet fully understood.There is controversy on the factors which influence the long -term outcome,such as the timing of diagnosis of hydrocephalus,the severity of ventricular dilatation,the basic disease and accompanying anomalies.So,should establish comprehensive protocols to avoid and decrease fetal hydrocephalus,as well as pay attention to the clinicopatho-logical research,prenatal diagnosis,perinatal management and early treatment of fetal hydrocephalus.