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Infantile hydrocephalus in southern saudi arabia

M E El Awad1, A A Al-Barki

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University - Abha Branch, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Journal of Family & Community Medicine
|September 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

The incidence of infantile hydrocephalus remains stable, but new trends show more prenatal central nervous system malformations and an increase in premature infants in the postnatal group. Prenatal factors remain the primary cause of infantile hydrocephalus.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infantile hydrocephalus (IH) is a significant neurological condition in newborns.
  • Understanding the incidence and etiological factors of IH is crucial for early intervention and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of infantile hydrocephalus in a specific region.
  • To investigate the various causes and contributing factors of infantile hydrocephalus.
  • To compare regional trends with international data.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study was conducted on registered live births.
  • Cases of infantile hydrocephalus were identified and analyzed.
  • Etiological factors were categorized into prenatal and postnatal causes.

Main Results:

  • The overall incidence of infantile hydrocephalus was 0.71 per 1000 live births.
  • Prenatal factors accounted for the majority of cases (74.2%), with spinal dysraphism and acqueductal stenosis being common.
  • Postnatal causes included meningitis and post-hemorrhagic complications, with a notable increase in premature infants.

Conclusions:

  • The incidence of infantile hydrocephalus in the region is statistically unchanged.
  • Emerging trends include a higher prevalence of associated central nervous system malformations in prenatal cases.
  • There is an observed increase in premature infants within the postnatal hydrocephalus group.
Abstract

Keywords:
Infantile hydrocephalusSouthern Saudi Arabia

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