Core Terms & Classification
Acquired hydrocephalus
Acquired hydrocephalus is hydrocephalus that develops after birth as a result of another event or condition.
In short: Acquired hydrocephalus
- It develops after birth, at any age.
- Causes include hemorrhage, infection, tumors, and head injury.
- It contrasts with congenital hydrocephalus.
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus in older adults is a form of acquired hydrocephalus.
What it is
Acquired hydrocephalus is hydrocephalus that arises after birth, triggered by another condition or event rather than being present from development. It can occur at any age.
Understanding Acquired hydrocephalus
Common causes include bleeding (such as intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants or subarachnoid hemorrhage in adults), infections (such as meningitis), brain tumors that block CSF flow, and traumatic brain injury. Normal pressure hydrocephalus, which typically affects older adults, is also a form of acquired hydrocephalus. Because the triggers differ so much across ages, acquired hydrocephalus encompasses a wide range of situations, and identifying the underlying cause is central to treatment.
Why it matters
Understanding acquired hydrocephalus helps families and patients see that hydrocephalus can develop at any age after an event like hemorrhage, infection, a tumor, or injury. Recognizing the cause shapes both treatment and the outlook.
Common questions
When does acquired hydrocephalus develop?
After birth, at any age.
What causes it?
Hemorrhage, infection, tumors, and head injury, among others.
Is normal pressure hydrocephalus acquired?
Yes — it is a form of acquired hydrocephalus in older adults.
Bottom line
Acquired hydrocephalus develops after birth from causes like hemorrhage, infection, tumors, or injury, at any age.
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