Hydrocephalus

Successfully treated hydrocephalics were classified by preoperative brain dimensions, cause, prematurity, intracranial hemorrhage, and infection. The average intelligence quotient (IQ, 108) of those with uncomplicated congenital hydrocephalus is significantly higher than the group with other major central nervous system (CNS) malformations. Hydrocephalus and intracranial hemorrhage, CNS infection, or prematurity are also associated with more mental retardation. Maximum occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) of the skull and ventriculoskull distance (VSD) generate an approximation of "brain mass." Children with less than 60% of normal brain mass for the age prior to operative treatment of hydrocephalus were found to be significantly retarded.