Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus vary somewhat by age of onset.

Infants

Common signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants include:

Changes in the head

• An unusually large head
• A rapid increase in the size of the head
• A bulging or tense soft spot (fontanel) on the top of the head

Physical signs and symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sleepiness or sluggishness (lethargy)
• Irritability
• Poor eating
• Seizures
• Eyes fixed downward (sunsetting of the eyes)
• Problems with muscle tone and strength

Toddlers and older children

Among toddlers and older children, signs and symptoms might include:

Physical signs and symptoms

• Headache
• Blurred or double vision
• Abnormal eye movements
• Abnormal enlargement of a toddler's head
• Sleepiness or sluggishness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unstable balance
• Poor coordination
• Poor appetite
• Loss of bladder control or frequent urination

Behavioral and cognitive changes

• Irritability
• Change in personality
• Decline in school performance
• Delays or problems with previously acquired skills, such as walking or talking

Young and middle-aged adults

Common signs and symptoms in this age group include:

• Headache
• Sluggishness
• Loss of coordination or balance
• Loss of bladder control or a frequent urge to urinate
• Vision problems
• Decline in memory, concentration and other thinking skills that may affect job performance

Older adults

Among adults 60 years of age and older, the more common signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus are:

• Loss of bladder control or a frequent urge to urinate
• Memory loss
• Progressive loss of other thinking or reasoning skills
• Difficulty walking, often described as a shuffling gait or the feeling of the feet being stuck
• Poor coordination or balance

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency medical care for infants and toddlers with these signs and symptoms:

• A high-pitched cry
• Problems with sucking or feeding
• Unexplained, recurrent vomiting
• Seizures

Seek prompt medical attention for other signs or symptoms in any age group.

More than one condition can cause the problems associated with hydrocephalus, so it's important to get a timely diagnosis and appropriate care.