Intracranial pressure in a child - causes and symptoms

Quite often the doctors during the examination of young children tell the parents that their child increased intracranial pressure. Intracranial pressure in a child – this is not a diagnosis but a consequence of certain diseases. What are the symptoms of affect the pressure in the head and can it be treated?

Intracranial pressure characterized by the pressure head of the fluid in the spinal canal and cerebral ventricles, as well as in the cranial bones, in the spine, between the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is called cerebrospinal or CSF.

Liquid space and cerebral ventricles are interconnected ducts, cerebrospinal fluid, constantly circulating on them. It stands out in one of brain departments, then through the ducts flows in other departments, where it penetrates into the bloodstream.

Intracranial pressure in a child can be associated with blood pressure, it happens all throughout life to rise and fall. For normal state of health very important indicator of the norms of intracranial pressure, for example, in children the norm is considered to be an indicator of pressure in the range of 1 to 2 mm Hg in an adult – 5 to 7 mm Hg.

Causes

the Most frequent reasons for the growth of intracranial pressure are:

- a large number of secreted CSF;

- poor absorption of cerebrospinal fluid in the blood stream;

- poor permeability in the ways of circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

Any of the above reasons may occur due to:

encephalitis or meningitis;

- hypoxia;

- what happened when any injury of the skull, for example, generic;

congenital abnormalities in the development of the Central nervous system;

- serious poisoning.

Symptoms

Increased intracranial pressure in infants can be quite dangerous. As the child cannot always explain his state of health, to identify the pressure change difficult. Also at this age the contents of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain unstable and the child's brain has the final formation.

In the untimely appeal to the doctor the disease can go into the hard stage, the consequence may be mental retardation. In this case the brain of the baby grows and develops, and decreases to the contrary.

Signs of intracranial pressure in a child the following:

- the refusal of the child from drinking;

- the rapid growth of the head;

- the appearance of strabismus;

- the abstraction of sight down syndrome called “the setting sun”.

- swelling of the Fontanelle;

- tearfulness;

- periodic occurrence of regurgitation and vomiting.

When you see these symptoms should immediately seek medical advice.

Diagnosis

Intracranial pressure in a child is determined by examination of the fundus. Additional investigation to determine the causes of variation of pressure is ultrasound study of the skull through the Fontanelle of the baby. Older children appoint tomography - magnetic resonance and computed.

Treatment

If intracranial pressure in a child regularly deviates from normal, the treatment should not be independent - it should be a competent physician after appropriate reasons.

Prescribers to improve blood circulation and nutrition of the brain, and in some cases – vascular and sedatives, and vitamins. To improve the efficiency of medical treatment of prescribed sessions of acupuncture, swimming and General massage.

The Exacerbation of the disease requires surgery in which excess cerebrospinal fluid is derived from the cranial cavity. In the formation of tumour – it is removed. In the presence of infection antibiotics are used.

It Should be remembered that no state, accompanied by increased intracranial pressure, can not be treated with the help of homeopathy, folk medicine, vitamins, massage and acupuncture. All this can be combined with the main treatment prescribed by your doctor.

Treatment must be carried out in stationary conditions, only under the strict supervision of a doctor and when indicated.