The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Hydrocephalus includes the 41 symptoms listed below:
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In infants, the unmistakable sign of hydrocephalus is rapidly increasing head circumference, clearly disproportionate to the infant’s growth. Other characteristic changes include widening and bulging of the fontanels; distended scalp veins; thin, shiny, and fragile-looking scalp skin; and underdeveloped neck muscles. (See Signs of hydrocephalus.) In severe hydrocephalus, the roof of the orbit is depressed, the eyes are displaced downward, and the sclerae are prominent. Sclera seen above the iris is called the “setting-sun sign.” A high-pitched, shrill cry, abnormal muscle tone of the legs, irritability, anorexia, and projectile vomiting commonly occur. In adults and older children, indicators of hydrocephalus include decreased level of consciousness (LOC), ataxia, incontinence, and impaired intellect.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
In infants, the unmistakable sign of hydrocephalus is enlargement of the head clearly disproportionate to the infant’s growth. Other characteristic changes include distended scalp veins; thin, shiny, fragile-looking scalp skin; and underdeveloped neck muscles. (See Characteristics of hydrocephalus.)
In severe hydrocephalus, the roof of the orbit’s depressed, the eyes are displaced downward, and the sclerae are prominent. A high-pitched, shrill cry as well as abnormal muscle tone in the legs, irritability, anorexia, and projectile vomiting commonly occur.
In adults and older children, indicators of hydrocephalus include a decreased level of consciousness (LOC), headache, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Ataxia, incontinence, and impaired intellect may also be present.
In infants, the fontaneles may not feel full due to the infant’s inability to increase the head circumference when the brain is under pressure. Because the sutures aren’t fused, the skull widens to accommodate the pressure.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary with age, disease progression, and individual differences in tolerance to CSF. In infancy, the most obvious indication of hydrocephalus is often the rapid increase in head circumstance or an unusually large head size. In older children and adults, symptoms may include headache followed by vomiting, nausea, papilledema (swelling of the optic disk, which is part of the optic nerve), downward deviation of the eyes (called "sunsetting"), problems with balance, poor coordination, gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, slowing or loss of development, lethargy, drowsiness, irritability, or other changes in personality or cognition, including memory loss. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Hydrocephalus Information Page: NINDS)
When considering symptoms of Hydrocephalus, it is also important to consider Hydrocephalus as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Hydrocephalus may cause:
For a more detailed analysis of Hydrocephalus as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Hydrocephalus.
These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Hydrocephalus. This signs and symptoms information for Hydrocephalus has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Hydrocephalus signs or Hydrocephalus symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Hydrocephalus may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Hydrocephalus symptoms.
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