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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andrea2323 - 91 days ago.
Hi Montrealmama, Our baby had measurements that fluxuated from week to week! The perinatalongist told me not to worry, that it would resolve itself. This said, we were still so scared of the 'unknown'. Really, I could honestly say it was the most stressful time in my life. Just the whole not knowing part. Anyways, after I gave birth, the nurses told me they had googled VM because they all had not ever heard of it. ( I live in a suburb of Washington, DC and gave birth at a busy hospital) Hang in there-- I bet your situation will resolve itself also. XXOO

turtlemom - 91 days ago.
Technically, a measurement of 16mm is considered 'severe' VM and moderate Hydro.

professormom - 91 days ago.
andrea2323... in this day and age, the docs are so concerned about lawsuits they practice 'defensive medicine'... they order all the tests, even when they don't think those things are the cause to 'rule' things out (which is why I refused amnio - I did the pre-downs test and they were negative; plus everything at my 20 weeks US was normal)... yes, some docs get money for certain tests they order... I don't think they do it on purpose, just to get money... but i really don't know... i just think the more we, as patients, are aware of how the medical industry works, we wont' have romanticized notions of what our treatment should be... real life is not ER, Grey's Anatomy or anything remotely close... we really need to be proactive and read and research on our own and talk to others going through the same thing (part of why this forum is so great).

professormom - 91 days ago.
montrealmama... wow... 16mm is only 1mm off what they consider 'mild'... I would wait and see what the test results come back... it's true that VM can be a marker for other severe conditions... I was in a similar position, but all my tests came back negative.... no downs, no heart defects, no missing brain parts, etc... I know it's so scary, but having larger than normal ventricles does NOT mean your child will have disabilities... and if you read through this site you will find so many mothers who've babies have had isolated cases - isolated cases often do not turn into hydrocephelus and do resolve on their own... be prepared for the neurosurgeon to give you the worse case scenario - he/she will only be involved if it becomes hydro and your baby needs a shunt - but that is so far off... chances are your baby will be fine... i know it's hard to be patient, but try not to stress yourself... read the stories on this forum - these are some incredible women/mothers - and their stories are so encouraging.

montrealmama - 91 days ago.
Hi, I am new to this site and this nightmare. I am 40 years old and the mother of 5 year old healthy twin boys. I went for my 20 wk routine ultrasound 4 days ago. They told me my baby has bilateral ventriculomegaly of 16 mm on both L and R sides. Her cortex is still greater than 1 cm - so no hydrocephaly yet. Since then I've met with a genetics counselor and had bloods taken for toxo and CMV and had an amnio (should get the FISH results in a day or two.) We'll meet with a neurosurgeon this coming week and hopefully have an MRI. Also scheduled for a fetal echocardiogram in 2 days. All that being said, I only have 3 and 1/2 weeks to collect all my results and make a decision to continue or terminate. In Quebec law, they will not terminate past 24 weeks. None of the doctors or geneticist have ever said this can resolve on it's own. If it is isolated VM, and I don't have toxo, CMV, or a chromosomal defect, then why aren't any of the professionals telling me to hope for spontaneous resolution? How quickly can the ventricle measurements change?

turtlemom - 91 days ago.
Talk about a rip off, my Daughter had to have Synagis shots to prevent RSV b/c she was a preemie. Each shot was around $6000 and she had 6 of them. Andrea, I have to think that the Peri was correct about the possible VM. A mm is such a tiny measurement especially in a tiny baby moving around in the womb. I'm sure everything was on the up and up. It is not uncommon for VM to resolve by birth. About 90% of the stories here wind up that way.

andrea2323 - 91 days ago.
Hi everyone, i just wanted to add on to what professormom was saying... My 3rd baby was diagnosed with VM around 28 weeks. The vents were up and down, I was in the Perinatalogist's office weekly for 3 months, etc. Our baby was born with NO SIGN of any issues with the vents or brain or anything. My little add on is this, and I am SO not trying to insult anyone at all-- over the 3 months that I was followed, our insurance was billed about $500.00 per peri. visit. (Level 4 ultrasound and consult with the doc) Over 12 weeks, that is $6000, just for an ultrasound. I haven't concluded anything, but I'm just saying. That's a lot of money the doctor earned, and then to have no trace of any VM at all? Any thoughts? Just makes me wonder if this IS a normal variant in pregnancy and maybe, just maybe the docs take advantage of it to earn some money. I know that's awful to say, many of my doctors are amazing, but it is so odd that most of the VM cases I've read about are completely fine. Hmmm...

professormom - 92 days ago.
also wanted to share my story because I've been following this site for a couple of weeks now. At 31 weeks my girl was diagnosed with VM. My baby girl's vents were LV 18mm and RV19mm. Of course, I freaked out. At my 20 week US they were normal. However, I later found out that at my 20 weeks US her vents were 7.1 and 9.0, but this didn't raise any redflags with my doc's because anything under 10 is normal. Then at my 24 week US - they have no images of having even looked at the ventricles so the doc said they must have been under 10 because the US tech's are trained to look at that. (I don't know if I believe them, but...) I was having the US to follow the size of a fibroid I have in my uterus, so I think that they may not have checked the ventricles. Anyway, to be told that I went from normal to severe VM in a matter of weeks was distressing. The docs recommended amnio, but I declined. He didn't think this would produce any new information because everything else about her is healthy. Her heart and organs are fine and she has all the parts of her brain, etc. They did other blood test though to rule out Toxo. and CMV. I met with genetic counselor who recommended amnio and I looked at her like she was stupid. Seriously, why would I risk that at 32 weeks when I won't get results for two weeks and it won't change anything. I swear, the tests they just want to give you and people wonder what's wrong with the medical system... not to mention, the scare they give you. I would never consider a late term abortion, but it is so stressful to have to think about how you will care of a child with severe disabilities. I had to meet with so many specialist and many had NO bedside manner whatsoever. They don't even want to give you the slightest bit of hope or positive news, lest you sue them if things don't turn out okay. The neurosurgeon basically told me that my daughter would either be hydrocephalic or have brain loss from the swelling... I just looked at him like he was an idiot. Then I told the docs something about me. Ten years ago, I was in a car accident and had a concussion. I had an MRI done on me and the docs found I had water on my brain. This confused them as it wasn't anywhere near my concussion so they determined after further tests, it had always been there; it was congenital. Now my mother had me at a time when they didn't do routine US's on women, so looky here... I have VM and have been living with it all my life without knowing it. I don't know how severe it is because honestly I've never given it a second thought until now... but when I told the docs this - they said nothing because they really have a need to be right and not consider any other remote possibilities, such as, vents changing in size and severity during pregnancy often resolve themselves or are just a non-issue. Two weeks after my initial diagnosis, her vents went down to 17mm and 16mm, two weeks later they are down to just below 15mm and I believe in my heart they will continue to decrease and she will be just fine - not to mention there is a certain amount of human error involved as they take these measurements. I do not want to minimize what VM is... Obviously, it is a condition that needs to be monitered, but I truly resent the docs and hospital staff for their lack of bedside manner and for scaring the daylights out us, when there is still so much about this condition that is unknown. One thing I did besides change my diet, was I started taking double doses of Omega-3's (DHA - fish oil) and increased my magnesium. I was also diagnosed with anemia and I don't know if low iron is related to VM, but I've heard this. I am a believer in holistic health so I also researched some herbs I could take that would boost my immune system - though your docs will not recommend this, trust me. But this is my body and my baby and I will make the final decisions about what happens - not them. I hope my story helps. I am due Sept. 18th. I go back for another check up on Sept. 2. and even if her vents stay above 10mm by the time she's born, I am not convinced this means she will have any learning or other diabilities of any kind. She may end up being just like me... and trust me, I am not only of above average intelligence, but I am happy and healthy. So to all the mom's dealing with this: Stay positive and don't stress!!!

professormom - 92 days ago.
I was diagnosed with possibly having GD. I declined the 3 hour glucose test and chose to test my blood sugars 4 times a day. I didn't think I had it and if I did; my case wasn't severe. It turns out that yes, if I ate high carb meals like spaghetti or white rice, my blood sugar would be high (because of all the hormones sometimes the body can have a hard time absorbing insulin) but once I switched to whole wheat; cut out refined sugar, juice, etc. I had no more readings above 130-140. The doc's always give you the worse case scenario.... I would recommend monitering your diet - it's good to eat healthy for the baby anyway. Don't let them scare you - your baby will be fine. There is nothing they can do to treat GD anyway. If your sugar is super high, they will give you insulin but even that hasn't shown to necessarily improve GD - the best way is to change your diet.... hope this helps.

up north - 92 days ago.
My 22 week scan was normal. At 25 weeks I was told I had gestational Diabeties. They gave me an extra scan at 27weeks and found one ventricle to be 12mm, 29 weeks 12.6, 31 weeks 14.8. It seems to be growing very quickly?? All docs say no link between GD and ventricles but im not so sure. Have one healthy son but did not have GD in that pregnancy.

two-on-board - 93 days ago.
I can't help thinking that if GB caused such issues then it would be more widely known and there would be more information out there to Mum's who might have GB issues. I have never read that there is a connection. Most of the time it is just one of those things that nobody can have any control over.

almostmommaof2 - 93 days ago.
I was wondering if any of you moms have also dealt with having gestational diabetes along with these other problems. I am curious because I am being treated for this also (which i was with my other pregnancy) i can control them by diet and they are not high. I just got off the phone with the diabetes clinic and was told about all the problems my baby could have on top of the fluid on the brain because of my sugar. She kind of went off on me because I was trying to cancel an appointment because of other appointments that i have. I have been in contact with them for my sugars and have only been dealing with this for the last few weeks. I guess with this rambling I am just curious if any of you had this and was told of additional problems beside what any pregnant mother faces being gestational diabetic that I should be concerned about. I almost got the impression from the woman that this can hurt the baby even more. I am just scared to death now and don't know what else I can do besides what i have been doing with watching my carbs and taking my blood sugars and like i said she even said that my sugars are not high.

jess2008 - 94 days ago.
Hello everyone!!! I have some big news to share!!! Baby Gage is, as of today, totally off of the ventilator! Please read his Caring Bridge site for full details! http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gagethomasdreesen/

BabygirlOnTheWay - 94 days ago.
Thank you to all of you. I requested a second opinion, and my doctor referred me right away to another perinatologist... yesterday's visit was horrible. However, I do give credit to the doctor for being very intelligent... he knew a lot of information, but did not have the bedside manners I needed as a first time mom--so we'll see what happens next week. We will just keep praying...

turtlemom - 94 days ago.
I completely agree with Rosa16 and Coronation Street. I would get rid of this doctor all together, if it was me. Are you seeing a Perinatologist?

rosa16 - 94 days ago.
Babygirlontheway, my best advise to you is to seek for a second opinion. I felt relieved after receiving my amnio results so ask another specialist if in your case he or she recomends it. Remember God is wonderful and can do many things for you and your baby.

Coronation Street - 94 days ago.
Baby Girl on the Way. It is very hard to diagnose a club foot on ultrasound. It is also very unprofessional and impossible for a doctor to diagnose a Trisomy without hard proof of an amniocentesis. For him to to tell you this and then question further genetic testing is very, very odd. What will change your 'psychological treatment' is a doctor telling you your baby may have a trisomy without any proof. Please try to get a second opinion. I am continually shocked by some of the comments of these so called Dr's.

BabygirlOnTheWay - 94 days ago.
So I'm feeling very helpless right now and very empty... I saw the specialist yesterday, and he gave us a diagnoses of ACC. I didn't ever see him take measurements of her ventricles again, so I don't know what they are measuring at... but regardless, she has ACC. He said her CC is thinned out, and only time will tell the severity. However, he also noted that her left foot is definitely clubbed, and her right foot is strongly suggested. He said her stomach appeared to be small, but that we will take a look at it again at my follow-up in 3 WEEKS. He said that there might be some chromosomal abnormalities linked to all this. I have no family history... so this is just one of those things that I guess 'just happens'. He threw trisomy 13 and 18 out there as possibilities, but when I asked about an amniocentesis, he said 'Why would you want that?'--apparently he believes it changes the mother's psychological treatment of the rest of her pregnancy... but if that's truly a possibility, babies usually don't live--so I'd like to prepare myself for the worse. I don't know what to think... I don't know how likely it is that she has ACC with just clubbed feet... it seems like there is a syndrome going on... I feel terrible! I think I want a second opinion. Again, thanks for all of your support and prayers.

turtlemom - 94 days ago.
Wonderful news, MarieG!!!

MarieG - 95 days ago.
I just thought I would update again as I had a nice surprise yesterday. When my son was scanned at birth and at 1 month old they told me that his RV was slightly larger than the other but they didn't give me any measurements and quite frankly I didn't want to know as before birth they measured RV 19 mm and LV 10 mm. I received the cranial ultrasound report yesterday in the post and was really surprised to read that his RV is 9.2 mm and the LV 7.9 mm. The report said that he had a 'slightly prominent right sided posterior horn of lateral ventricle but otherwise no obvious abnormality noted'. I was expecting them to still be high and was pretty amazed that the numbers are even now within normal range. They seem only to be following up because one is a little bit bigger than the other. It seems to me that the medical profession really needs to study this area a bit more because a lot of us are given very dire prognosis and in most cases the baby is alright.

babyondway - 95 days ago.
My name is Nana D. and I found this website today after searcing the net for more info on ventriculomegaly. My oldest daughter went for her 21 week u/s today ( this is baby # 2 for her) and was told that the ultrasound showed her little girl's brain ventricles were 'in the upper range of becoming abnormally large' I am a registered nurse and was present for the u/s but had to return to work so didn't stay to see the MD because I didn't know the U/S showed anything questionable or concerning. My daughter called me very upset about the results. She has no medical background so she didn't have a clue what questions to ask etc. I therefore do not know what the exact measurement was from the U/S. I just know that she was told the measurements are still within normal range but are in the upper range of becoming abnormal so they will have her return in a month for a repeat u/s to see if the size has changed. No other abnormalities were noted. The MD told her that if the measurements increased next month then this could be indicative of hydrocephalus. Of course this news scares her and me to death. There is no hx of birth defects in our family, but I have read that this is not something that is usually congenital. My daughter did tend to be very anemic with her other pregnancy and has already been taking her prenatal vitamins as ordered and no labs reveal any anemia at this time. I am so thankful to find the information and encouragement that is offered here. I have already called my daughter and told her about the posts here and positive hope that everything will be fine. Nana D

rosa16 - 95 days ago.
Dear Jennifer5, your case is so similar to mine. When I went for my 20th week sonogram my baby came out with a white spot on his heart and his left ventricle measuring 13.4. I was devastated. On the same day I got the diagnosis I did my amnio, 10 days after, amnio was regular. Later I did a fetal eco, and the specialist who performed it advised me no to worry because there are millions of people walking around with bright spots and they dont even notice it. To finish the story, I went for another ultrasound at my 26th, ventricle and white spot were the same. Five weeks later I went for another ultrasound, white spot still present, left ventricle measured 8 mm. My advise to you, please don't worry too much, these findings easilly disaper. I don't know if this had anything to do but in one of my exams I came up with low iron, my doctor prescribed me a suppement and for some reason I think that helped. I also began taking healthier meals. If you think that doing an amnio will make you feel better please do so. I did it because I wanted to be certain what will happen. Rest, relax and you'll see that this new baby will be great, like all the babys in the forum :)

LillianSmiles - 95 days ago.
Hi! Just wanted to say thanks for all the support I have found on this website, and also to give an upate...right vent is down to 8.5mm from 11mm at my 32 week US. Left is normal range at around 6mm. I hope we are in the clear. Does anyone know if they have a chance of going up again?

mrskudla - 96 days ago.
Hi everyone, I am scheduled for a biophysical profile next Tuesday, and wonder if anyone has had this done? If so, how long does it take? I'll be 34 wks & 4 days when the test is done. The dr wants to do it just because of the VM. Thanks for any input, Melissa

BabygirlOnTheWay - 96 days ago.
Hi all... I just want to thank everyone for helping me stay positive and for sharing your lives with me... tomorrow I will have an update, as it is our first appointment with the specialist. I've been praying all week and I just hope I can handle whatever comes my way... thank you again, and I will report back soon. You all are in my prayers!