Pre- and neonatal hydrocephalus in the Middle East: experience in Qatar

In a retrospective study, all cases of hydrocephalus diagnosed antenatally or within the first 10 days of life during the period 1986-1989 were reviewed. Thirty-four cases were diagnosed antenatally and 31 after delivery. Among the last, 13 were hemorrhagic. In 17 cases a meningomyelocele was present. In 12 cases other malformations outside the nervous system were observed. This represents an incidence of 157/100,000 live births for hydrocephalus and 41/100,000 for meningomyelocele. All cases were compared against a control group that had normal antenatal ultrasound findings at the same time (35 cases), and against a second control group consisting of 53 women with five or more normal pregnancies at the time, and all normal babies. The differences are evaluated and their significance and implications for the future discussed.