Acquired Hydrocephalus
Signs and Symptoms

Acquired hydrocephalus is caused by injuries or conditions that develop after birth, such as a hemorrhage, meningitis, head trauma, tumors and cysts.

Symptoms in older children may include:

• Awkward gait
• Balance problems
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Downward deviation of the eyes
• Drowsiness or lethargy
• Headache
• Incontinence
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Other changes in personality and cognition or thought process
• Papilledema or the swelling of the optic disk, which is part of the optic nerve
• Poor coordination
• Slowed development

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated October 7, 2009