Publication Details
Abstract
Hydrocephalus is among the most common neurological disorders affecting children and remains a significant cause of developmental and functional impairment despite considerable advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The present study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and neurological characteristics of hydrocephalus in childhood through a comparative assessment involving 40 children diagnosed with hydrocephalus and 40 healthy controls. Comprehensive clinical examinations, neurological assessments, and analysis of neuroimaging findings were performed to identify the most frequent manifestations associated with the disease. The results demonstrated that developmental delay, speech impairment, cognitive dysfunction, muscle tone abnormalities, gait disturbances, visual disorders, and seizure episodes occurred significantly more often among children with hydrocephalus than among healthy participants. Furthermore, the severity of neurological deficits tended to increase in parallel with the degree of ventricular enlargement, highlighting the impact of prolonged cerebrospinal fluid circulation disturbances on the developing brain. The findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, continuous neurological monitoring, and multidisciplinary management aimed at preventing long-term complications and improving functional outcomes. Timely intervention and individualized rehabilitation strategies may contribute substantially to better neurological development and quality of life in affected children.