Yola: A Neurosurgeon at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Dr Zayum Loda’am, has urged parents to seek early diagnosis and treatment for hydrocephalus, warning that delayed intervention could cause permanent disability or death.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Loda’am explained that hydrocephalus is the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain’s ventricular system due to obstruction, overproduction, or inadequate absorption. He noted that the condition is broadly classified into congenital and acquired hydrocephalus. Children might develop either form, while hydrocephalus in adults is usually acquired and often associated with underlying conditions.
Loda’am identified congenital causes such as aqueductal stenosis and brain tumors, while acquired causes include complications from meningitis, traumatic brain injuries, bleeding, blood clots within the brain, tumors, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Newborns commonly present with an abnormally enlarged head, difficulty looking upward, and poor growth, whereas older children and adults may experience persistent headaches, early morning vomiting, seizures, and impaired vision.
He emphasized that some cases could be prevented through prompt treatment of meningitis, safe delivery practices to prevent birth-related injuries, and the use of folic acid before conception to reduce congenital abnormalities. ‘Children diagnosed and treated early often go on to live normal lives, unlike those whose diagnosis and treatment are delayed,’ he said, underscoring the importance of awareness and prompt intervention.
Dr Loda’am stated that the mainstay of treatment is surgery through diversion or shunting of the excess fluid, alongside treatment of the underlying cause. Although medications may help relieve symptoms, they do not replace surgical intervention. He noted that shunt procedures have recorded success rates of more than 80 percent in many cases, though maintaining shunt function and preventing infections remain major challenges requiring regular medical follow-up.
He also warned that delaying treatment could lead to intellectual disability, epilepsy, blindness, as well as physical and psychological complications, which could significantly affect patients and their families. The specialist dismissed misconceptions linking hydrocephalus to witchcraft or evil spirits, explaining that such beliefs have contributed to discrimination, stigma, and the abandonment of affected children in communities.
Dr Loda’am urged parents to seek immediate medical attention whenever they noticed an unusually enlarged head or other warning signs, stressing that early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and timely referral improve outcomes.