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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two-on-board - 51 days ago.
Ahhhhh, Happy Birthday Ryan! What a wonderful little man, a true inspiration, just like his mummy! Have a great day! XXX

triciah - 52 days ago.
happy 1st birthday, ryan!!!!! today is my little man's 1st birthday and he awoke at 4:30am(i think he was excited!) i sang happy 1st birthday to him and he was soooooo smiley as if he knows he's having a special day( course everyday is special....no, extra special for me!) just love him to pieces! we took a snuggle nap together after his morning sippy cup and just now got up at 7:30 and he is enjoying his favorite show....blue's clues. ryan is doing great and is hitting his milestones...is crawling everywhere the regular way, babbling all kinds of new syllables,cruising along furniture and soon he will be walking his first steps on his own, i just know it. his pt/ot's say he is doing spectacular and is a joy to work with.all you mom's out there, keep positive, cause you will have greatness with your babies in your lives!i am so thankful to GOD for all his blessings, and even if ryan encounters any challenges down the road we will still be thankful for the cutest, bestest, wonderfullest personality of a little man that we have been blessed with.it has been a year full of love and laughter and he is just so precious and soon some of you will get to meet your precious little loves.thank you to all of you who have been there for me in the past and present, each day i am thankful for my son and also, getting to know you ladies thru this wonderful forum. have a great day!

montrealmama - 52 days ago.
Has anyone's baby who was given a diagnosis of colpocephaly in utero developed cerebral palsy since their birth?

Havingfaith - 52 days ago.
Ive got some omega 3 vitamins with dha, it says to take 1 a day, what if i take 2? i havnt as of yet but im so tempted :'( am i being silly, do you think it would harm him? xXx

susan29 - 52 days ago.
Ladies, Having gone through this nightmare early on in my pregnancy I understand what you are all going through. I prayed every night and my LO's ventricles went back into normal range.. I just want each of you to know that I pray for you all every night... may God bless you all!

montrealmama - 53 days ago.
Thanks to IainsMom for posting. I've updated my profile for those of you in a similar boat. I've started taking 2 x 200 mg DHA capsules everyday, hoping that will make a difference. We're headed to Boston, MA for 2nd opinions on my baby's prognosis and coming closer to making some really difficult decisions.

Havingfaith - 53 days ago.
Had the tests today, the professor of fetal medicine performed the procedure, it was scary because there were 3 midwives all handing him equipment, and one midwife stroking my hair telling me im brave bless her, had a local anastetic to numb tummy then had the amnio, and they took blood from kadens cord, then blood from me and ross...we go back monday for the mri scan results and the amnio/blood results can take up to 2 weeks! We've been here before and i hate it :(

two-on-board - 54 days ago.
Hello IainsMom, I have read your blog from a link on the ACC Angels website and completely agree with you. There is much hope out there and much inspiration. My son is doing so incredibly well, I am so proud of him, one of the things that makes me sad is that I was never as aware of milestone achievement when it came to my other children and I should have equally have celebrated them as I do with my son now! These things should never be taken for granted as many children, with no issues, struggle and have delays, there are four major areas of development and it is rare that a child is advanced in all of them. When my friends are concerned that their three year olds are still not interested in using the toilet, I always say that I bet that they ride their bike alone before other children, and this will be the case for our children too. I think that I am slowly being able to accept that there might be things that my son will need help with in the future, but there will be loads of things that he has not needed help with, and I need to remember that. Best wishes to all you worrying Mothers-to-be, like Jess2008 my rollercoaster journey was just about to start this time last year. Happy 1st Birthday Gage! XXX

jess2008 - 54 days ago.
Happy Birthday Baby Gage! You made it! 1 year ago today you were born and no matter the outcome of that day....we wouldn't trade you for any other little boy! You are our gentle soul, the little love of our lives. You have blessed us with a new and different kind of life and opened our eyes to all of the children out there with 'different' abilities not disabilities! There are alot of mommies here on this board who are as afraid as your mommy was a year ago. Some even face the choice that your parents did. Thankfully, for them the right choice was made to leave you in God's hands.......every day you are with us you are loved little man! Happy 1st Birthday Gage! 2 New pictures added to our profile! www.caringbridge.org/visit/gagethomas dreesen

IainsMom - 54 days ago.
One more thing! For those of you looking for all the information you can get, check out our blog for specific details. (My husband is a much better biographer than I am!) babypitman.blogspot.com

IainsMom - 54 days ago.
Just wanted to share a story of hope for all of you discouraged mamas, and ESPECIALLY those thinking of terminating because of frightening news. We got a scary report on our 20 week ultrasound, and for the first time, heard the words VENTRICULOMEGALY. Of course, I researched all I could, and found so much hope and comfort from the incredible and strong moms on this site. From December to May we were involved in the roller coaster ride of monthly ultrasounds, all the while seeing no other concern with baby, but 'stable and increasing' vents. We never thought of terminating, as we believed that whatever was in store, this was the little baby God had planned for us. We shed many tears, and had many sleepless nights though! Iain James Pitman was born on May 22 via c-section (after two days of labor!) and while his ventricles are still very large, he is by all accounts a 'normal' and wonderful baby. He has had 3 MRIs since he was born, and they believe his corpus callosum is missing, which could account for the large vents. (They filled in the empty space). He never needed a shunt, which was one possiblity we were fearing, and is meeting all his milestones. They just released us from being 'neurosurgery' patients, and are going to follow up in neruology, to see if he needs any physical therapy or other help further down the road. I feel that we were blessed with a 'best case' scenario, and I know that not all cases turn out this way. But I wanted to say that I totally understand what a lot of you moms are going through. We heard every scary term, from ventriculomegaly, hydrocephalus, colocephaly, agensis of the corpus callosum...we had visit after visit to our 'high risk' OB, had to have the little man at an out of town specialist hospital, have made MANY trips there for follow up...and every single day live with the knowledge that there may be hurdles we need to overcome in the future. BUT we are also thankful every day that we have a WONDERFUL little boy, who has brought us so much joy and blessed our lives so much aldeady. The first time we heard his little cry, we breathed a sigh of relief, and every time he does something he 'should', like smile, laugh, 'talk', roll over, we rejoice. I don't know what the future has in store, but just be encouraged mamas, that the doctors can't predicte the future any better than we can! These little lives are so precious, and while it may bring heartache, trials or sorrow, there is no doubt that these things will be accompanied by joy, blessing and love. PRESS ON MAMAS!!

babygirlontheway - 54 days ago.
thought I would share that i've been taking Neevo prenatals, which contain DHA, since day 1 of me finding out that I was pregnant. Not sure what role it really plays, but it doesn't hurt to try. partyof5soon--i only had nst's done because I was having irritability... but it's not routine for my dr to do. also, I worry about my follow ups because it seems like most on this forum are being followed closely. my last appointment with my specialist was at 32 wks (now i'm 35 wks). my next appointment is not until i'm 37 wks, so a good 5 wks to wait to check her head and fluid. at that point he and my OB will decided if I should deliver at 38 wks. they are talking about a c-section, just to be on the safe side. not to mention, Gabriela is still breech. I wonder about breech presentation because i've read that it can be do to brain anomalies, like hydrocephaly. havingfaith--i pray that you are given strength to make the right decision for you and your family... i've been told so many things, and i've decided to leave it in God's hands. i've been told Gabriela is on the severe end with her fluid, 17mm... been told her feet are probably clubbed. there was a time they thought her hands were clenched, and at another dr's appointment she moved her fingers. they still tell me her stomach or 'gut' size is also small, which is probably because she's swallowing slowly. but in the end of all their negativity, I stay hopeful. Gabriela has redefined love for us, and regardless of her normalcy or special needs, we will love her the same. you and your family will continue to be in our prayers... --Liz

Havingfaith - 55 days ago.
I went for a glucose test yesterday, and inbetween i had another scan to check the amount of amniotic fluid i have, it's decreased slightly, but the fluid on kadens brain has increased... is now 18mm ranging into the severe end of the scale(so the docs tell me) His cistern magna is also dilated and the shape of his head is bigger at the back and narow at the front... plus his short bones, theres to many differences to not think there isnt an underlying problem I had another MRI scan yesterday and tomorrow i need another amniocethesis test also while having that they need to take blood from kaden, then blood frm me and Ross, it will tke around 2 weeks to put all the tests together and get a clear picture how severe he will be (ill be 35 weeks pregnant)!!! I feel like ive gone back 10 weeks ago, the hell hole, the limbo of not knowing, i was sooo happy and now this. They asked me if i would consider termination if it turns out he wil be severely handicapped and hearing that word made me break down So here we are back to square one, only 10 weeks later in the pregnancy. Please help pray for him :( im exhausted and emotionally drained.

turtlemom - 55 days ago.
I took a prescription prenatal with DHA long before we were diagnosed. I'm sure it can't hurt, but it didn't change our outcome (unless she would have had even more brain damage than she did - if that is possible). And, as far as the Non Stress Tests, I had 3 a week for over a month before my c-section. Unless the head circumference was measuring big, I think a natural birth would be okay.

partyof5soon - 55 days ago.
I have a question for you lady's...I know once my son got diagnosed with VM I was classified as a high risk pregnancy & now see a specialist as well as my OB...now at 1 day shy of 34 weeks my specialist insists I have to come into his office to be hooked up for the 1/2 hr belly monitoring 2x's a week until delivery...is that normal? at $40.00 a pop I am just wondering, of course I want to make sure Kaden is taken care of & watched closely but 2x's a week wow...anyone else have to be monitored that often? Oh I was also wondering if you guys were told if you have to have c-section or can have normal delivery? I was told normal delivery would be ok but I am worried of the added pressure of him going thru the birth canal (god knows how long that could take) might be too much added unnecessary pressure & stress on his little brain that it may complicate it or any compound any side effects/symptoms after birth that could have been prevented if take by c-section...let me know, I am talking with my OB about it tomorrow but she doesnt seem to experienced with VM & Colpocephaly....appreciate any input on the matter.

partyof5soon - 55 days ago.
My son got diagnosed with left Ventricle enlarged at 29 weeks with MRI showing it measuring at 1.15CM = 11.5MM & since then I have been taking a prenatal vitamin with DHA & last week at 33 weeks we had ultrasound done & it measured at 1.03CM = 10.3MM..it was a rough measurement cause the way the baby was laying but it is an improvement from the original measurement...he will be checked again on Oct 6th, we are hoping it resolves itself by then. I dont know if the DHA helped or what but if it is suppose help brain development why isnt it pushed in all prenatal vitamins? I didnt even know about it until alot farther into my pregnancy & when I did find out about it I reqested a prescription from my OB & have been taking it ever since...it leaves me wondering if I had been taking it all along would Kadens vent be normal? who knows but I do wish I had started with DHA prenatal vitamins from the begining.

Havingfaith - 57 days ago.
Im from the uk, is there any supplement i could take that MAY help him? i would give my right arm to make him better! xXx

up north - 57 days ago.
Hi I have 2 weeks max to go and Im very scared. I know that whatever is we will deal with but the waiting and not knowing is a killer. At 34 weeks the enlarged vent was 15-16mm I went for an MRI but have not been able to face getting the result. My bloods were normal. I feel like I am going to the gallows not giving birth. I am also obsessively buying baby things out of nerves as if I have everything a baby could possible need and more everything will be normal...

professormom - 57 days ago.
Montrealmama: My profile has the details of my journey so far, but I also am pregnant with a girl diagnosed with isolated ventriculomegaly at 29 weeks. LV: 18; RV:19. I did lots of research and started megadosing DHA specifically in liquid form. I do not like capsles. I don't believe they retain the freshness a refrigerated oil does; and I doubt the effectivenss of what is in a pill form such as what they put in prenatals. I think an extra supplement is best. I can't say if this helped or not, but I started taking 2 tbsp of Twinlab's Norwegian cod liver oil (cherry flavor) daily and additional folic acid. My baby girls vents went down to 11mm and 12mm within 6 weeks. I'm having another US on Monday, but she is perfectly healthy and stable! No other issues with her brain. Our body is so amazing in it's ability to repair itself and also to compensate. I wish someone would do some solid research on DHA, in particular, DHA from a natural source like fish oil. I hope this provides encouragement. Remember the doctors are trained to give you the worse-case-scenario.

Havingfaith - 58 days ago.
Linny i can feel the energy and relief though your post, i can imagine how u must be feeling, i really hope i get to post a similar story to yours in a few weeks time, congratulations on ur perfect baby! xXx

linnyc1981 - 58 days ago.
oh, and cause i am a proud mum, i just uploaded a photo of my little boy on my profile! as you can see perfect!

linnyc1981 - 58 days ago.
oh, we also had an appointment with paedritican as there was some concern over Max;s head size. He began to measure my husband and my heads. I have a head that is in the 90th perecentile and my husband is off the chart. Such a simple explanation for our bub's bigger sized head. If only the drs previosuly could have been as clever to put these factors together.

linnyc1981 - 58 days ago.
hi everyone, we recieved our MRI report today in the mail and was desperate to share with someone, if i can quote. the ventricles are normal is sixe, shape and portion. there are samll cystic strcuture suggesting a frontal horn cyst. frotnal horn cyst usually have a benign coarse and often complete resolution 3 months of age. no other abnormality has been demonstrated, in particular i see no evidence of vermian hypoplasia. For all those mums out there that were told to termiante, please use our story to give you hope. I just cant beleive we were told to terminate at 20 weeks, a completely healthy baby boy, who is just so amazing!

turtlemom - 58 days ago.
My daughter just had her 2nd MRI. They have to put them under anesthesia (Propofol among others) which is the main risk. Since, my daughter has a shunt they like to see if the fluid is less etc. If she didn't have one and was acting 'normal', I probably wouldn't do it.

Ana30 - 58 days ago.
Could you please share any information on MRI exam done with one year old baby (or younger). What is risk involved with? And what is real benefit (can we see anything new that we already don't know about) I,m about to decide for this exam and not sure what to do. My son is ten months old, having choroid plexus cysts and some permanent brain damages; however developing perfectlly 'normally' without any problem seen so far. I would really appreciate if someone who did this exam in the past could give me more information. Thanks