Causes

The causes of hydrocephalus are poorly understood.

It's thought hydrocephalus present at birth may be the result of a brain defect restricting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Hydrocephalus that develops in adults and childrenis often caused byan illness or injury that affects the brain.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)that develops in older people may also be the result of an infection, illness or injury, but in many cases it's not clear what causes the condition.

Hydrocephalus from birth

Hydrocephalus , when a baby is born with the condition,can be caused by certain health conditions, such as spina bifida .

Congenital hydrocephalus can also occur in babies born prematurely, before week 37 of the pregnancy.

Some premature babies have bleeding in the brain, which can block the flow of CSF and cause hydrocephalus.

Other possible causes of congenital hydrocephalus include:

• X-linked hydrocephalus caused by a mutationof the X chromosome
• rare genetic disorders such as Dandy Walker malformation
• arachnoid cysts fluid-filled sacs located between the brain or spinal cord and the arachnoid membrane

In many cases of congenital hydrocephalus, the cause is unknown.

Hydrocephalus that develops in children and adults

Hydrocephalus that develops in adults or children (acquired hydrocephalus) is usually the result of an injury or illness.

Possible causes of acquired hydrocephalus include:

• bleeding inside the brain for example, if blood leaks over the surface of the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage)
• blood clots in the brain (venous thrombosis)
• meningitis an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
brain tumours head injury stroke

Some people are born with narrowed passageways in their brain that restrict the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, but don't cause any symptoms until years later.

Hydrocephalus in older people (normal pressure hydrocephalus, NPH)

Hydrocephalus that develops in older people (normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH) can occur after a brain injury, bleeding in the brain or an infection. However, in most cases, there's no clear reason.

It may be that NPH is linked to other underlying health conditions that affect the normal flow of blood for example, diabetes , heart disease , or having a high level of cholesterol in the blood.