Abstract
This study was designed with an aim to detect the congenital anomalies appear to be linked to and in conjunction with hydrocephalus fetuses in Sudan, when ultrasound is used to exam fetuses in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This prospective cohort study was performed from December 2011 to December 2013, in a group consists of 5000 single gestation pregnant Sudanese women. In all cases, maternal ages were 35 years up to 48 years; mean age of 42.5 years. Pelvic; obstetric ultrasound scanning protocol used should meet the standards established by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) for scanning in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the results. Diagnosed hydrocephalus cases (0.4%) were found to be associated with other fetal anomalies as aqueduct stenosis (45%), spina bifida (30%), Arnold-Chiari malformation (20%) and Dandy-Walker malformation (5%). The incidence of congenital anomalies and hydrocephalus in Sudanese fetuses showed considerable variation among different regions of Sudan. Hydrocephalus is associated with certain congenital anomalies. In agreement with previous studies, hydrocephalus is predominantly in male rather than female fetuses. The prevalence of fetal anomalies and hydrocephalus are within previously reported ranges.
Highlights
Hydrocephalus is defined as an increase in the cerebral ventricular size and/or sub-arachnoid space
The highest mean ± SD of ages was (48.5 ± 2.5) years found in the age group 47-50 years while the lowest mean ± SD of ages was (36.5 ± 2.5) years found in the age group 35-38 years (Table 1 and Figure 1)
Females from Center of Sudan show the highest incidence of hydrocephalus (n = 12; 60%) and its related anomalies in the scanned fetuses while females from the South of Sudan show the lowest incidence of hydrocephalus (n = 1; 5%) and its related anomalies (Table 2 and Figure 2)
Summary
Hydrocephalus is defined as an increase in the cerebral ventricular size and/or sub-arachnoid space. It is caused by an imbalance between the production, circulation and resorption of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) (Tolmie, 2002). Hydrocephalus is characterized by a pathological accumulation of CSF in the ventricular system, causing pressure on the surrounding developing brain. The condition leads to various degrees of cognitive impairment, cerebral palsy and visual deficits. Hydrocephalus is an important cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality in children. The widespread use of CSF shunting has reduced mortality, children with hydrocephalus often face multiple surgical procedures resulting in significant morbidity (Gupta et al, 2007; Wu, Green, Wrensch, Zhao, & Gupta, 2007)
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