Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
Asymptomatic idiopathic intracranial hypertension in children
H Bassan1, L Berkner, C Stolovitch
1Pediatric Neurology Unit, 'Dana' Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Asymptomatic pediatric idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is more common in younger males and less obese children. This condition may represent a milder or early phase of IIH.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure without a clear cause.
- While symptomatic IIH is well-documented, asymptomatic cases in children are less understood.
- Defining the characteristics of asymptomatic pediatric IIH is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize pediatric patients diagnosed with asymptomatic idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
- To compare the demographic and clinical features of asymptomatic pediatric IIH with symptomatic cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of a Neuro-Ophthalmology database from 2000 to 2006.
- Inclusion of all pediatric cases, both symptomatic and asymptomatic IIH.
- Statistical comparison of characteristics between asymptomatic and symptomatic groups.
Main Results:
- Out of 45 pediatric IIH cases, 14 (31.1%) were asymptomatic.
- Asymptomatic cases were younger (mean age 5.6 years) and had a lower prevalence of obesity compared to symptomatic cases.
- Asymptomatic patients exhibited a male predominance and required shorter acetazolamide treatment durations, with complete resolution of disc swelling.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic pediatric IIH may be more prevalent in younger children and could indicate a milder or presymptomatic stage of the condition.
- Further research is necessary to fully understand the clinical significance and long-term implications of asymptomatic IIH in children.
- These findings suggest a potential need for revised diagnostic and monitoring approaches for pediatric IIH.
Objective:
To define characteristics of pediatric asymptomatic idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
Patients And Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed our Neuro-Ophthalmology database (2000-2006) for all cases of symptomatic and asymptomatic pediatric IIH.
Results:
Out of 45 IIH cases, 14 (31.1%) were asymptomatic (incidental examination). When compared with children with symptomatic IIH, asymptomatic cases were younger [5.6 (1.8-15) vs 11.0 (5-17) years, P = 0.007], had lower percentage of obesity (14.3% vs 48.4%, P = 0.046), and had male predominance (71.4% vs 38.7%, P = 0.06). Asymptomatic cases required shorter duration of acetazolamide treatment [3 (0-8), vs 6 (0-20) months, P = 0.021], and resulted in complete resolution of swollen discs.
Conclusions:
We speculate that asymptomatic IIH may be more common in young children and could represent a milder form or a presymptomatic phase before evolving into classic symptomatic IIH. Further studies to assess the clinical significance of asymptomatic IIH are warranted.
Related Concept Videos
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
