An Introduction to Hydrocephalus: Congenital and Late-Life Onset

Cognitive disorders in children's hydrocephalus

“…In comparison to healthy children, they significantly underachieve in the scope of understanding words representing earlier learned notions and in the tasks checking the ability to use speech in social situations [22]. On the other hand, in the course of telling stories sick children tend to omit semantic structural relations between the story elements [6]. Some researchers suggested the occurrence of a ''cocktail party syndrome'' in patients with hydrocephalus, characterized by loquacity, maintaining the correct articulation and fairly rich vocabulary.…”

“…Amongst the most frequent causes of hydrocephalus are intraventricular hemorrhages, rachischisis, aqueduct stenosis, meningitis, Arnold-Chiari malformation, brain tumors and the Dandy Walker syndrome [6]. Rachischisis occurs as a result of neural tube closure failure.…”

“…In addition, children with hydrocephalus seem to be also more susceptible to auditory distraction in the course of problem solving. They also find it more difficult to transfer attention than to focus and maintain attention on a given object [6].…”