prognosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

The prognosis of hydrocephalus varies according to whether the condition is congenital, or has been acquired:

  • untreated congenital hydrocephalus is often fatal within the first four years of life; rarely, the disorder arrests and a state of equilibrium is reached between the formation and absorption of CSF - varying degrees of mental deficiency, blindness, and epilepsy may occur
  • long-term outcome of acquired hydrocephalus varies according to the cause and management