Fetal hydrocephalus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to draw the attention of specialists faced with fetal hydrocephalus in the postnatal period to the possibilities of prenatal diagnosis and further monitoring by studying isolated and syndrome cases in fetuses. One hundred and nine fetuses from a total of 2238 autopsies were the subject of observation in this study. In 64 (58.7%) of the studied fetuses, isolated hydrocephalus was found, while the other 45 cases were associated with the following malformations: Arnold-Chiari type II, Dandy-Walker, stenosis of the aqueductus sylvii, agenesis of corpus callosum (partial and total) and numerical chromosomal aberrations such as trisomy 13, 15 and 18. In cases of isolated hydrocephalus and a stable condition of the fetus, it is possible to wait until the term, or to induce labor without danger to the child, followed by a shunting intervention.