Neurological Defects

Neurological problems are abnormalities in the brain. Some examples of problems that might be identified during pregnancy are:

Ventriculomegaly: The lateral ventricles (spaces) in the brain are enlarged (dilated). Cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the brain, may build up and cause hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus: The accumulation of too much (cerebrospinal) fluid in the spaces (ventricles) in the brain. Too much cerebrospinal fluid results in abnormal dilation of the ventricles (spaces in the brain). The dilation can cause harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain.
Dandy Walker Syndrome: Congenital (before birth) brain problem that involves the cerebellum and fluid filled spaces around it. The cerebellum is in the back of the brain and controls movement. There may be an increase in the size of the fluid spaces and increased pressure in the brain.
Chiari Malformation: Structural defects in the part of the brain (cerebellum) that controls movement. There is an indented bony space at the lower back end of the skull that can cause the cerebellum and brainstem to be pushed downward. This can cause pressure on the cerebellum and can cause cerebrospinal fluid blockage.
Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: The corpus callosum is a structure that connects the two halves of the brain. Agenesis means that the corpus callosum in the brain is missing.

Diagnosis

May be detected by a prenatal (before birth) ultrasound by the obstetrician.
Sometimes a fetal MRI is done to confirm the diagnosis during pregnancy.
Neurological defects can be an isolated condition or in combination with other defects.
The obstetrician may discuss performing an amniocentesis to learn if it is an isolated condition or not.
Some neurological defects are not discovered until later in a child’s life

Causes

Treatment

Treatment of neurological defects depends on the symptoms. A neurosurgeon is a surgeon who specializes in brain surgery. A neurologist specializes in the nervous system.
A computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) maybe performed after the child is born.
If too much cerebrospinal fluid causes pressure in the brain, a special tube called a shunt may be placed inside the skull to drain the fluid.

Prognosis

Prognosis varies greatly, depending on the diagnosis and symptoms. Every child is different and it is hard to predict during pregnancy how the child will do when he or she is older.
It is important for a child with any of these findings to be followed by a pediatrician and neurology specialists.