Which factor increases the risk of developing hydrocephalus?

Which factor increases the risk of developing hydrocephalus?

• A. Bilateral cephalohematomas
• B. Prematurity
• C. Craniosynostosis
• D. Familial macrocephaly

Answer: (B)

Prematurity is a major risk factor for hydrocephalus because very preterm infants have a fragile germinal matrix with vessels prone to intraventricular hemorrhage. Blood entering the ventricles can obstruct CSF pathways or damage the absorptive arachnoid granulations, leading to posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The risk rises as gestational age decreases and birth weight lowers. Other options don’t fit as well: bilateral cephalohematomas are birth-related collections that don’t typically cause hydrocephalus; craniosynostosis can raise intracranial pressure but is not a common cause of hydrocephalus; familial macrocephaly is a size variation that doesn’t by itself reliably increase hydrocephalus risk.

Prematurity is a major risk factor for hydrocephalus because very preterm infants have a fragile germinal matrix with vessels prone to intraventricular hemorrhage. Blood entering the ventricles can obstruct CSF pathways or damage the absorptive arachnoid granulations, leading to posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The risk rises as gestational age decreases and birth weight lowers.

Other options don’t fit as well: bilateral cephalohematomas are birth-related collections that don’t typically cause hydrocephalus; craniosynostosis can raise intracranial pressure but is not a common cause of hydrocephalus; familial macrocephaly is a size variation that doesn’t by itself reliably increase hydrocephalus risk.