Intracranial pressure in newborns is a relative value. It alone can both decrease and increase. That is why pediatricians suggest the development of the disease in almost every child. So, let's figure it out in order.
When does intracranial pressure (ICP) appear?
Intracranial pressure in newborns causes hydrocephalus, head injuries, brain tumors, intracranial hemorrhages and neuroinfection. Determining the presence of intracranial pressure is not easy. Often, this diagnosis is made for completely healthy children.
In the brain are gastric cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Fluid forms in the ventricles and flows into the canal of the spinal cord. If the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid is impaired, pressure arises.
What causes a violation of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid?
Intracranial pressure in newborns can occur as a result of intrauterine infection, an abnormal structure of the brain transferred during intrauterine development of hypoxia, or as a result of a birth injury.
How is intracranial pressure manifested?
- Frequent and profuse regurgitation.
- Tilting the head while crying.
- Increased muscle tone.
- The circumference of the head is greater than the expected norm. In children up to a year, the head circumference should increase by no more than 1 cm every month.
- Restless behavior of the baby, crying during feeding and poor sleep.
- Fontanel swelling.
- Skull bone discrepancy.
- Converging strabismus.
What should parents do?
First of all, the child must be shown to the doctor who will confirm or refute your suspicions. Intracranial pressure in newborns is determined using ultrasound diagnostics of the brain. Based on the data, it is possible to judge the expansion of the ventricles, which are direct evidence of the development of the disease.
ICP treatment
How to cure intracranial pressure? Of course, the doctor will prescribe the most suitable treatment for you after carrying out the necessary studies. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and can be carried out both at home and in the hospital. Basically, diuretics are prescribed that contribute to the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid to the spinal cord. Of no small importance is the vitamin complex, massage and physiotherapy.
Consequences of intracranial pressure
Let's look at the danger of intracranial pressure:
- Frequent severe headaches.
- Performance degradation and fatigue.
- Violation of the functions of the central nervous system.
- The development of autonomic dystonia.
- Heart failure.
- Visual impairment.
- Developmental delay.
How to be a mom?
Every mother wishes her child happiness and health. Therefore, if you have not observed the symptoms of the disease in the child, but the doctor persistently insists on the development of intracranial pressure, it is better to conduct a second ultrasound. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then intracranial pressure in newborns must be treated, otherwise the consequences can be disastrous.
Quite often, changes in weather, magnetic storms and off-season affect the increase in pressure. On such unfavorable days, be especially attentive to the baby, offer breasts on demand, take them in your arms or lie down next to them as soon as possible.
The following factors have a beneficial effect on the treatment of intracranial pressure - breastfeeding, walking in the fresh air, prolonged emotional contact with mom and joint sleep. Listen to pleasant music, dance, stroke the baby and talk to him. Not a single medicine can give as much as the boundless love of the most precious person - mother.