Fetal ventriculomegaly is the widening of the fluid-filled spaces of the brain. These are called the ventricles. It happens in babies before they are born.

Causes

It may be caused by problems with how the brain grows. It may also be caused by the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord. It should move smoothly. If its flow is slowed or stopped, it can put pressure on the ventricles and make them get bigger.

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this problem in a child are:

Brain cysts
Spina bifida
Bleeding within the brain
A rare birth defect called agenesis of the corpus callosum

Certain infections of the pregnant mother can raise the risk. These are:

Cytomegalovirus—an infection caused by a type of herpes virus
Toxoplasmosis—an infection linked to cat stool or infected food
Syphilis—a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Chickenpox
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis—a virus spread by mice (rare)

Symptoms

After birth, a child may have:

Rapid head growth
A bulging soft spot
Scalp veins that bulge
Problems with eye movement
Delays in development
Problems feeding
Vomiting
Fussiness or sleepiness

Diagnosis

This health problem is often found during an ultrasound before the baby is born. More testing may be done by specialists and after birth.

Before birth, the baby’s health may be checked with:

Abdominal Ultrasound

Treatment

Sometimes this problem gets better on its own. The baby's health will be monitored.

If the problem gets worse, other methods will be needed to drain the fluid. This can be done by placing a ventriculoperitoneal shunt after the child is born.

Prevention

There are no known guidelines to prevent this health problem.

RESOURCES:

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
http://www.acog.org

Women’s Health—US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.womenshealth.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org

References:

Craig A, Lober R, et al. Complex fetal care: Implications of fetal ventriculomegaly: a neurosurgical perspective. NeoReviews. 2015;16;e254. Available at:
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Accessed November 4, 2020.

Hydrocephalus in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hydrocephalus-in-children. Accessed November 4, 2020.

Pediatric ventriculomegaly. Children’s National Health System website. Available at:
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Accessed November 4, 2020.

Ventriculomegaly and hydrocephaly. Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed November 4, 2020.

Ventriculomegaly in children. Boston Children’s Hospital website. Available at:
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Accessed November 4, 2020.

Wright Z, Larrew TW, et al. Pediatric Hydrocephalus: Current State of Diagnosis and Treatment. Pediatr Rev. 2016 Nov;37(11):478-490.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Kari Kassir, MD
Last Updated: 5/11/2021

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