20 week ultrasound reveals hydrocephalus measuring at 13mm. Trying not to freak out!!

[dolphinz8]

I had my 20 week ultrasound today and the ultrasound tech told us that there is a portion of fluid next to her brain that is measuring at 13mm. She sounded really concerned about, and didn't want to go into any details about what it could mean. They are sending me to do a level 2 ultrasound next week so they could do more measurements, and to see if they could see the whole spine and the other kidney...which she couldn't see because of the position that the baby was in. But she said from what she could see...the spine looks great, the head and everything else is also measuring great. I'm trying not to freak out (especially after looking on google.....lol)....but could anyone provide me with any info? Is 13mm alot...to the point that I should be really concerned??

Thank you so much for any info that anyone could provide me with!!!

[Jill]

Big breath! First - don't take anything I say as gold, because I am only going on what you've written. :) Wait until the doctor gives you results.

It's above normal range. 10mm is where normal ends, above that is labelled hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is scary sounding, but isn't that bad in real life. Clearly, it's going to feel like the worst news you could possibly receive for your unborn baby and even saying that it's not that bad isn't going to make you feel like it's not that bad. :( Most people/babies with SB have hydro as well, but you can have hydro without SB and you can have SB without hydro. I don't know what causes it outside of SB-related issues. I do have a friend who was told her baby had hydro in utero and he was fine when born, so there's always that sort of thing that could happen. That doesn't happen with SB. :p

Hydrocephalus is treatable with a shunt. It's a pump/valve thing inserted in their head under the skin. Having hydro in utero is very different then having it when you're older. Babies skulls are not fused, so the bones allow for the growth without causing brain damage. Your baby will still be brilliant. :)

Don't google. Just ask us more questions. Ask your doctor lots of questions. Good luck at the follow up!

[misty]

First of all, Hi! Welcome to the forum! Second, I want to second Jill's "Dont Google!" comment. Just ask us. Google is a scary place, and some of what they have out there about hydro and SB isn't true. I wouldn't worry too much about any numbers they give you about the hydro while your baby is still safe in your tummy. They can fix it when she arrives, and while she's still little the hydro doesn't have much of an effect anyway!

[dolphinz8]

Thank you ladies!! I appreciate your comments! I am so looking forward to the ultrasound. I was hoping to hear from them yesterday about when it would be. But they never called...and today they were closed for new years eve. :scream: lol. So i'll see on monday!! There are so many questions I have that I don't know where to start. Its hard too w/out knowing more info, which i'll get at the other u.s. One question i'm wondering about, and I know it doesn't have to do with s.b.....but maybe its meningitis??? I ate alot of deli meat at the beginning of the pregnancy...and so i'm wondering if somehow that has caused her to have meningitis which is causing the hydro. But then again, I don't know enough about listeria and meningitis, etc to really know. But its something maybe worth looking into when I see the dr. Anyways, i'm just rambling. So many thoughts are going through my head 24/7 now. But thank you thank you THANK YOU!! I appreciate your comments!! I'll keep everyone posted.

[Dodger67]

Do you have meningitis or listeriosis?
She can only get it from you - if it is even at all possible for those particular pathogens to cross the placental barrier.

I've never heard of a connection between meningitis or listeriosis and hydrocephalus - particularly congenital hydrocephalus.

Don't forget to breathe... :happy065:

[dolphinz8]

This is where I don't know enough about it....that it was really just a thought. I thought I read that even if the mom doesn't get sick from listeria, it can still cause the baby to get meningitis.

Anyways, this talks about how it can get to the baby.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listeria

Listeriosis is a serious illness, and may manifest itself as a meningitis, or affect the newborn due to its ability to penetrate the endothelial layer of the placenta


And then this website talks about how it can cause hydro:

http://www.hydroassoc.org/education-support/learning-about-hydrcephalus/diagnosis/
(http://www.hydroassoc.org/education-support/learning-about-hydrcephalus/diagnosis/)
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Caused by a bacterial or (less frequently) viral infection, meningitis can scar the delicate membranes (meninges) that line the CSF pathway. An acquired form of hydrocephalus may develop if this scarring obstructs the flow of CSF as it passes through the narrow ventricles or over the surfaces of the brain in the subarachnoid space.

Anyways......it really was just a thought. I've had alot of thoughts going through my head. But i'm sure all will be ok. I'm just going to try to not think too much about it until I know more from the ultrasound. (easier said than done, right ;O)

Thank you for your reply!! And...DEEP BREATH!!! :3a:

[Amnada]

Please Please Please don't google any more!
Which is alot easier said than done.

I am wondering why the ultrasound tech felt qualified to freak you out like this! Our u/s techs are not allowed to give out any information until a doctor is able to review the results. In cases where it was just human error or a bad angle that caused concern of an inexperienced tech, but was fine when reviewed by a doctor.

I was extremely unhappy with our ultrasound tech (who was experienced) but kept missing stuff that we knew was there! So that is from my own expeirence.

But sending you for a second level ultrasound is a great idea. sometimes it takes some time to get appointments, especially over the holiday season. But once you get one you'll (hopefully) get more info about what is going on. I have no idea about the listeria or meningitis, but I think it's too early to go down that road.

Like the other girls said, hydrocephalus is treatable, and something they can fix when she is born.

[dolphinz8]

Yeah, I was surprised she told us too. Other than that, she was really great. Here's a question.....if your baby has hydro, are you still able to deliver vaginally, or do they perform a c-section? Or does it just depend on the amount of fluid that they measure?

I should find out on Monday when my u.s. will be. Can't wait!! :)

[Bigwilli]

Dont freak out. Our daughter was at nearly 40mm near birth and is fine. The ventricles will enlarge as the baby grows but the shunt surgery will bring the size down. Remember the brain is pretty pliable and as the ventricles grow so does the brain. Your concern is shared by many here when they first discover it but if you read around a majority of the babies have no complications.

Prayers are with ya!

[Dodger67]

Hydrocephalus isn't a factor during delivery, neither is the spinal lesion. Go with whatever you are most comfortable with - don't let anyone bully you into the wrong choice. Do what's best for you, it won't make any meaningful difference to your baby unless there are other factors involved.

[hilmom]

Have you had the second ultrasound yet? Hoping to hear good news for ya...