Preparing for an appointment

The timing of diagnosing a child with hydrocephalus can depend on how severe the symptoms are, when problems appear, and whether there were major risk factors for hydrocephalus during the pregnancy or delivery. In some cases, hydrocephalus can be diagnosed at birth or before birth.

Well-baby visits

It's important to take your child to all regularly scheduled well-baby visits. Your child's doctor will monitor your child's development in key areas, including:

• Head size, rate of head growth and overall body growth
• Muscle strength and tone
• Coordination
• Posture
• Age-appropriate motor skills
• Sensory abilities — vision, hearing and touch

Questions you should be prepared to answer during regular checkups might include the following:

• What concerns do you have about your child's growth or development?
• How well does he or she eat?
• How does your child respond to touch?
• Is your child reaching certain milestones in development, such as rolling over, pushing up, sitting up, crawling, walking or speaking?

Preparing for other doctor visits

If you're seeing a doctor because of the recent onset of symptoms, you'll likely start by seeing your primary care doctor or your child's pediatrician. After an initial evaluation, your doctor might refer you to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the brain and nervous system (neurologist).

Be prepared to answer the following questions about your symptoms or on your child's behalf:

• What signs or symptoms have you noticed? When did they begin?
• Have these signs or symptoms changed over time?
• Do these signs or symptoms include nausea or vomiting?
• Have you or your child had any vision problems?
• Have you or your child had a headache or fever?
• Have you noticed personality changes, including increased irritability?
• Has your child's school performance changed?
• Have you noticed new problems with movement or coordination?
• Is your child abnormally sleepy or lacking energy?
• Has your infant had seizures?
• Has your infant had problems with eating or breathing?
• In older children and adults, have signs and symptoms included loss of bladder control and frequent urination?
• Have you or your child had a recent head injury?
• Have you or your child recently begun a new medication?