[Genetic epidemiologic study of hydrocephalus]

This paper described the epidemiological pattern and genetic features of congenital hydrocephalus. 77 214 births (live and still) were monitored, among whom 84 were hydrocephalus, incidence of 1.09%. The results suggested that the maternal occupation, age, number, of gravidity and educational level may be major contributors to the incidence of hydrocephalus. The incidence of hydrocephalus was significantly different between urban and rural areas, and its prevalence in the offsprings of parental consanguinity was 9.8%, being 9 times higher than those of non-consanguineous marriages (P less than 0.001). The incidence of hydrocephalus in the first degree relatives of the patient was 12.82%, being 10.76 times higher than that of the general population. The herebitability of the first degree relative was 49.6%.