​What is ‘Hydrocephalus’ in mental health disorder?​

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) It is a cranial anomaly leading to accumulation of fluid in brain.

Hydrocephalus is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles (cavities) of the brain. This fluid buildup can increase intracranial pressure inside the skull, leading to swelling of the head, especially in infants and young children whose skull bones have not yet fused. It is primarily considered a neurological disorder rather than a pure mental health condition, though it can cause cognitive impairments if not treated. The term “hydrocephalus” comes from the Greek words "hydro" (water) and "cephalus" (head), literally meaning "water on the brain." Early diagnosis and surgical intervention, such as installing a shunt system to drain the excess fluid, are crucial for managing the condition and preventing complications like brain damage.

Information Booster

1. Causes: Hydrocephalus can result from congenital factors, infections (like meningitis), traumatic brain injury, tumors, or complications during birth.
2. Symptoms: In infants, symptoms include a rapid increase in head size, bulging fontanelle, vomiting, sleepiness, irritability, and seizures. In adults, it can cause headaches, difficulty walking, memory issues, and incontinence.
3. Diagnosis: Techniques like ultrasound (in infants), MRI, and CT scans are used to detect the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid.
4. Treatment: The most common treatment is the surgical insertion of a shunt system, although endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is another surgical alternative.
5. Prognosis: With timely treatment, many individuals can lead relatively normal lives, although some may experience long-term cognitive and physical challenges.

Additional Information

• (a) Mental Retardation with Low I.Q.:
  Hydrocephalus can result in cognitive impairments if untreated, but mental retardation is not synonymous with hydrocephalus.
• (b) Hormonal imbalance:
  Hydrocephalus is not primarily related to hormonal systems; it pertains to the nervous system and CSF dynamics.
• (c) Large headed condition:
  While hydrocephalus can cause an abnormally large head in infants due to fluid buildup, simply defining it as a "large headed condition" is insufficient and medically inaccurate.