Intracranial pressure in infants

The words "intracranial pressure" are familiar to everyone, but few understand that this is not a diagnosis, but a normal human condition. Our brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid, or( this is more recognizable name) by cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid constantly circulates through the ventricles of the brain and the spinal canal. When the amount of fluid is normal and its movement is regular, there are no health problems. It's another matter if under the influence of any reason the uniform circulation is disturbed.

In itself, an increase or decrease in ICP disease can not be considered, but with persistent disturbances, very serious consequences can develop. The main of them - a violation of brain development. That is why it is very important to control his state and behavior from the moment the baby is born.

Intracranial pressure in infants occurs against a variety of causes. Among them, hypoxia, severe labor, intoxication during pregnancy, cord embryo, improper obstetrics. Sometimes the cause of an increase or decrease in ICP is an infection that the mother suffered during pregnancy. And, naturally, alcohol, drugs, tobacco are also capable of provoking a change in ICP.

If the doctor has determined and started to correct intracranial pressure in infants in a timely manner, there will be no problems in the future. But in order to help was timely, moms and dads are obliged to monitor every minute the state and behavior of the baby.

What are the signs of intracranial pressure in infants? There are several of them. In the first days of life, abnormalities can manifest themselves in the constant active spitting of food, refusal to take breasts. Artificial babies refuse not only from mixtures, but also from ordinary water. When the baby grows up a little, the increase in ICP can be determined by the fact that he constantly pulls down his eyes. This phenomenon experts call the effect of the rising sun. Some crumbs develop and constantly increase strabismus.

If treatment is not started on time, regurgitation is replaced by frequent vomiting. A month-old baby will always throw his head, and the older one will try to stand on tiptoe, not on the full foot.

Intracranial pressure in infants also manifests itself in chin jerking, accelerated head growth, too rapid or, on the contrary, delayed overgrowing of the fontanel. Sometimes there are cramps, because the muscle tone in these children is constantly elevated. When the baby starts to sit, signs of increased ICP can be a constant excitement, capriciousness, unmotivated crying, increased fearfulness.

However, it is not necessary to be frightened in advance, because all these symptoms do not necessarily indicate increased intracranial pressure in infants. ICP can indicate the presence of other diseases. That is why it is so important to take a medical examination every month with a newborn baby.

To determine whether intracranial pressure is increased in infants, only a doctor can. To do this, he will need to take certain tests, consult with the neurologist and oculist. Sometimes the baby is sent to a computer or magnetic resonance imaging or a puncture of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Usually ICP passes by the time the baby turns six months old. If this does not happen, the attending physician may prescribe diuretics, most often diacarb, herbal preparations. Sometimes there is a need for drugs that regulate blood circulation.

Intracranial pressure in infants, whose treatment is prolonged for a long period, can be normalized by surgery. But this is an extremely rare case.

In any case, ICP is not a sentence, but an excuse to take care of the baby's health.