Ventriculomegaly

How can ventriculomegaly affect my child?

Ventriculomegaly

The ventricular system contains sac-like pockets that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. When the ventricular system of the brain is enlarged, it is known as ventriculomegaly. The lateral ventricles of the brain are less than 10 mm wide in a healthy fetus. However, a fetus that suffers from ventriculomegaly has lateral ventricles measuring 10-15 mm wide. Sometimes they are even larger, in which the case is severe. Luckily, ventriculomegaly is not linked to other health conditions in most cases. Severe cases of ventriculomegaly can result in hydrocephalus, also known as water on the brain. In hydrocephalus cases, the cerebrospinal fluid builds up and puts pressure on the brain.

There are three major causes of ventriculomegaly. Improper brain development, destroyed brain tissue and insufficient absorption of cerebrospinal fluid are all factors that can make the ventricles in the brain larger. Sometimes chromosomal problems can cause ventriculomegaly.

Ventriculomegaly affects approximately 1 out of 1,000 live births and is normally nothing that the mother has done. The condition can be diagnosed before or after birth. Ventriculomegaly can be detected on ultrasound by the second trimester. An MRI can also be helpful in diagnosing the condition. A chromosomal analysis can be used to test for chromosomal problems that can cause the condition.

The only time that ventriculomegaly needs to be treated is when there is water on the brain. Even if there is no water on the brain, regular exams should be done to monitor the condition. Once the baby has been born, doctors will do exams and measure the head circumference to make sure the baby is healthy. Usually, ventriculomegaly will resolve on its own and there are no neurological or developmental problems. As long as there are no other health conditions or chromosomal abnormalities present, the long-term prognosis for a child born with mild to moderate ventriculomegaly is great.

Comments: Ventriculomegaly

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bento - 28 days ago.
Hello everyone, I was informed that right ventricle of our baby was 10.9 at wk 31 (wk 20 was OK). At wk 32, we did check at other hospital and the right ventricle showed 11.1. At wk 33, it was 10.9. It was very stressful weeks and I am searching as much info as I can get and I believe this website is very helpful. Now, it is my turn to contribute something. Our son was born 1.5 weeks ago and right after born, our dr check the head carefully and she informed us that the head dia is a little bit bigger and the gap in the head is bigger than usual. She informed us to do ultrasound in 1 week but inform us that we have nothing to worry as she think everything is consider 'normal' (she just want to be careful due to finding in the wk 31). 3days ago, we did US and the specialist confirmed to us that everything was perfectly normal. The right ventricle seems still a little bit too big (I am confuse with the number as seems like the way of measurement is different between fetus and baby)but she confirmed to us that she can guarantee that 99.9% the baby will be fine (in relation to the right ventricle). I am not good writer but I hope my message here can be useful for you.

professormom - 29 days ago.
Hello Everyone, Well, my baby girl will be 4 weeks tomorrow. The post-delivery U/S to check her ventricles will take place on Nov. 2nd, however, she has been developing normally. She does get the hiccups quite a bit (even when I was pregnant). Prior to her birth her ventricles decreased from 18 and 19mm at 29 weeks down to 12mm at 38 weeks. I declined inducement because her head was a normal size and wanted to deliver her vaginally and naturally. I want to encourage everyone to look into the DHA supplements. I posted a link to an article that researchers have discovered a specific connection between high doses of DHA and the improvement of brain function in baby girls, when taken both prenatal and postnatal. Hopefully, more research will be done, but since it cannot hurt to take it... why not? I took mega doses of DHA and perhaps it was coincidence, but my daughters vents did go down. We'll see where they are on Nov. 2nd - she's still perfect to me no matter what... congrats to the other new moms... much perseverence, faith and thanks for sharing your stories and journey's.

Veetim - 31 days ago.
Hello everyone, i hope you are ok.Mtldad i am happy that you are relieved for gettingthe right info. atleast it can clear some air now.There is one mother who left this website please have look,it talk about the research which was done in australia about the intake of high level DHA suppliment which is found on the cod liver oil.the website is www.news-medical.net/news/2009/01/18/4529/aspx,pls find the info there i believe you will get hope.I wish you luck mum to Gabriela just stay strong and i will remember her in my prayers.Take care everyone and goodluck.

jess2008 - 31 days ago.
Just to let everyone know......Baby Gage has taken a different not so good turn this week. It's a lengthy report so I will refer to his Caring Bridge site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/gagethomasdreesen His vents are very large due to an undiagnosed brain malformation during the early part of his existence. There are so many reasons, causes and, outcomes for vm babies. I love this board and all of the ladies here even though it is so hard sometimes to understand why Gage was affected so badly. He does have in home nursing care but, who would have ever thought this would be the case??? Why???? I wish we all had the answers.

cjengo - 31 days ago.
Babygirl ~ I just left you a message. Strokes in utero present many times with just mild VM. Email me and I will help you in anyway possible!!!

babygirlontheway - 31 days ago.
hi to all! baby Gabriela was born october 19th... 6 lbs 6 oz, 19 inches at 38 weeks by c-section. She looks just like her daddy! as soon as she was born, they ventilated her, as protocol. the next day, when taking her off vent (pulling it out) to put her on oxygen via nasal canula, she had a seizure. she's been on phenobarbital since then. her corpus callosum is present, but they believe something must have happened early in pregnancy like a brain bleed to cause the fluid in her brain... she's been pretty hypotonic (low muscle tone), which worries everyone (and makes me feel hopeless at times). they are not hearing her cry as loud as she should, among other things. doctors down where I live didn't feel comfortable helping us because they don't have experts in neuro. so they transferred us to Houston... Texas Children's Hospital, which is known internationally for their amazing work! daddy flew with baby, and I drove 6 hrs with my family. they will be working Gabriela up here, and it looks like we'll be here awhile. doctor who evaluated her last night said her neuromuscular system is definitely affected, and it became real to me that something is definitely wrong. i'm so scared... it's so hard to see my beauty have to go through this. I hope we get encouraging words soon, because I feel like I want to fall apart.

mtldad - 32 days ago.
Congratulations Almostmommaof2! ...or can we now say 'finallymommaof2?!!! Beautiful little girl! And thanks for the wishes Veetim. We had the 32 week ultrasound yesterday and feeling a bit better. The downside is that the LV measurement has increased to 12mm (from 10mm 2 weeks ago). However, we are a bit relieved because it turns out that the technician mixed up some of the data in the previous report! Previously, they showed the boy (baby A) to be the one with the large ventricle. The data also showed him being smaller than his sister and a smaller head, etc. So all of that info combined made us panic a bit that he was not developing properly. However, yesterday they realized that it is in fact the girl (baby B) that has the larger ventricles. That doesn't fix the problem of course, but it was somewhat reassuring because all of her other measurements are right-on perfect, so it makes me a bit more confident (or hopeful) that the ventricle size is just an anomaly. It was scarier when it seemed one baby had a combination of larger ventricles, smaller head and smaller body. Anyways, it's still in the hands of mother nature and we won't know for sure for a while. In the meantime, my wife has started taking omgega-3 supplements to strengthen brain development. I'm kind of surprised the dietician didn't advise this earlier and it was only thanks to THIS FORUM where I saw people referring to cod liver oil and DHA (?). When I asked the doc yesterday about these, she recommended taking omega-3. Not sure it will help but I have always heard people recommending omega-3 for brain development and it sure can't hurt! Thanks again to all.....and best of thoughts to all!

Veetim - 33 days ago.
Hello, i hope all of you are ok.Thank you so much partof5soon.Congratulation to almostmommaof2,that is really a good news and the little angel looks so cute that you cant stop staring at her and think the technology we have now a days can drive you mad when they tal about ventricles measurements and so fourth but look at your angel now she bit the odds.I wish mtldad all the best on their scanning, i guess its the crazy moment and i really feel for you,but stay positive and hope for the best and remember to top up with prayers.I wish everyone well on this journey.

mtldad - 33 days ago.
Hi everyone.....my wife and I are going for the 32-week ultrasound later today. It was 2 weeks ago that they found one of the twins was measuring on the borderline at 10mm. I was traveling for work at the time so I wasn't there with my wife to get the news first-hand, which makes it even tougher to deal with. Now I have a million questions for the doctor, which HOPEFULLY I won't even need to ask! Hopefully it's just on the high side of normal and is stable or decreasing. My thoughts are with all of you moms and moms-to-be.

up north - 34 days ago.
hi my son was born on 6th. He seems totally healthy although no medical authority will confirm this. Yesterday he had a scan and the vents measure the same as they did when i was 34 weeks preg and have not grown since. The docs want to see him in 6 weeks. Wil try to let u know more soon xx

partyof5soon - 34 days ago.
almostmommaof2 - that is wonderful news...congratulations! She looks too cute & precious. Hope she keeps on amazing tho docs, Best of luck on your new journey!

almostmommaof2 - 35 days ago.
Well, I have started my new journey. My precious little angel is here. She is so much more than I EVER allowed myself believe she would be. She is beautiful. You can see her pic on my profile. She has had every test done and all have been coming back neg and with no answers as to what is going on with her ventricles. She was born with the ventricles measuring a stable 27 mm and an MRI showed that something must have happened early on and what ever damage was done the ventricles just grew in to fill in that space. However, the rest of the brain (parts) are all there and appear normal. She is really making them wonder how she can be so 'normal' and have this going on inside her. She does have an issue with her liver and spleen both are slightly enlarged and she is jaundice they don't know if it is related or if it just has to do with her system not being fully awake right now where she was a little early. She is still in the NICU but as soon as her jaundice is under control and she continues doing well with her feedings she will be able to come home. I really feel she came straight from heaven to me and whatever hurdles she has to overcome I will be right there with her. She is perfect! Stay positive everyone.. Babies are truly miracles.

partyof5soon - 35 days ago.
That is great news veetim, glad to hear your LO's vents went back down into the normal range...hope everything continues to show normal at your 28th week check too! Babygirl - good luck & we will be thinking of you & your LO today on her birthday!

two-on-board - 36 days ago.
Much love and congratulations to you and your baby Liz, Best Wishes from the UK, XXX

babygirlontheway - 36 days ago.
So, tomorrow is the big day! Gabriela will be here! We're getting things ready today... and I'm getting nervous. My doctor didn't have a chance to look over the Duke kit, so I really hope she doesn't mess up... I will update you all soon... keeping the faith strong and hope alive... thank you for all the prayers, love, and support you guys have given me these past few months. It has meant the world to me... love and hugs to all! --Liz

Veetim - 38 days ago.
Hello everyone,my baby was found having mild ventriculomegaly on my 20weeks scan,both ventrcles were measuring 11mm-12mm.I did some reseach and i saw a comment on this site from Professmom if am right with the name,she mentioned something to do HDA suppliments,i used the suppliment right a way,the Cod liver Oil,and when i went to the 21weeks scan on 30th Sept 2009,my baby's left ventricle went down to 7.1mm and the right one was 10.1mm.the Dr. offered me amnio test i refused coz i never wanted another frastrution,I went back in 2 weeks later of which is yesterday 15th Oct 2009,the measurement showed that the left ventricle remained normal at 7.1mm,the right one went down to 9.5mm,i was happy and i believe that the cod Liver Oil with high level of HDA and EPA of 2300mg did some miracles.So the Dr. said he doesn't think he will need to see me at any time soon again as my baby ventricles are not in danger,so i will be back when am 28weeks for another scan. It is a good news and relief to me but my journey is still there.Am still drinking the cod liver oil until i see the end of this.I am with all the mother who are in this journey.Stay Blessed all of you.

jess2008 - 39 days ago.
Yay Liz! Glad you got the kit! I can't wait for the day we get to take Gage and get this infusion done! Just need to get him off of the oxygen then we can go. It's looking more like spring before we will get that far. I will be thinking of you on Monday. Have a nice relaxing weekend and a fabulous and happy Monday!

turtlemom - 39 days ago.
Gabriela's team sounds fantastic!!! Good luck on Monday, Liz!

babygirlontheway - 39 days ago.
yay! we got our cord blood kit... decided to go with Duke University because it's free and they were so helpful over the phone... they overnighted the package to me! Gabriela's official birthday is set for monday, october 19th! C-section will be at 1:30 (central time). we're meeting with neonatologist today, who I hear is a grad from UCLA Med school, did his residency at Harvard, and has worked with Driscoll children's (which is a big plus)! I still am praying for all of us... --Liz

janice55 - 40 days ago.
hi im just looking throw pages on this site to find some answers to the situation im in with my baby...im 18 weeks pregnant tomorrow but at my 14 week routine ultrasound i was told baby had lots of fluid around th head and brain. i needed to come back 2 weeks later at 16 weeks to get a more detailed scan and get exact due date as babys head was measuring bigger...at that scan we were told or baby has a cleft lip and palate and could have chromosone problems...stating problems much worse than downs syndrome i was told. well had another scan yesterday along with an amniosenthsis test. the doctor explained babys brain looks that of a 14 week fetus and that is her main concern....and fluid is still there. i dont know what to think at the moment and so scared of the outcome...just wondering can any1 shed some light or stories where doctors give worst case senarios and my baby will only have cleft problems and this seems minor compared 2 other problems....thank you

montrealmama - 40 days ago.
My 28 week u/s went well today. Her vents are stable since her VM was diagnosed 8 weeks ago (18 mm bilaterally) and the rest of her measurements are right on track. She's got gorgeous long legs and hiccups too! Only the best of luck to babygirlontheway Gabriela.

partyof5soon - 40 days ago.
our thoughts & prayers are with you babygirl

susan29 - 41 days ago.
I am praying for you and your little one Babygirl

babygirlontheway - 41 days ago.
feeling down again... update: Gabriela is hydrocephalous, her head is measuring a few wks ahead with lots of fluid on her brain (25mm). Her growth has been restricted, so her body is measuring about 3 wks behind. She's swallowing too slow, and my fluid has increased. We don't know if it's all related, like chromosomal problems... or maybe she's just not getting sufficient nutrients. I'm meeting with my OB tomorrow, we will be delivering either this friday or monday, since she's better out than in right now... they even discussed the possibily of transfering her to Driscoll hospital in Corpus Christi, since she might need surgery. We'll just keep praying... I am so worried about her... --Liz

babygirlontheway - 41 days ago.
montrealmama i'm so glad that you are feeling better and that the docs were optimistic! :) we have our last appointment today with our specialist to check baby Gabriela, and hopefully make a decision on when the appropriate time will be to deliver. i'm so nervous b/c we haven't seen the doc or had an US in the last 5 weeks. but I know God is with us... I will update soon. fingers, toes, and eyes crossed... --Liz