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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Hydrocephalus
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1992-09-02
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579b
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Potentially serious increase in the volume of
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the
ventricles of the brain. In infants, since
their skull plates have not fused, it causes
enlargement of the head, and there is a risk
of brain damage from CSF pressure on the
developing brain. Hydrocephalus may be due to
mechanical obstruction of the outflow of CSF
from the ventricles or to faulty
reabsorption. Treatment usually involves
surgical placement of a shunt system to drain
the fluid into the abdominal cavity. In
infants, the condition is often seen in
association with spina bifida.