Dandy Walker Syndrome
Congenital malformations in children are a fairly common phenomenon throughout the world. Such pathologies can have varying degrees of severity and have one or another effect on a growing organism. Among the large number of possible anomalies, Dandy Walker syndrome is considered the most severe in its consequences. This is a congenital underdevelopment of the brain, in which the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that provides nutrition to the brain tissue, is disturbed. In addition, there is an underdevelopment of the cerebellum. Pathological signs indicating the presence of a severe defect in the fetus are observed directly during pregnancy.
Dandy Walker's anomaly, symptoms
A congenital disease can be detected in a child even in the process of carrying it. After 20 weeks of pregnancy, during an ultrasound examination of the fetus, the typical symptoms of this pathology are clearly visible. Confirmation of such a diagnosis as Dandy Walker syndrome, first of all, are signs of brain damage. This is the formation of a cyst in the region of the cranial fossa, underdevelopment of the cerebellum, as well as expansion of the fourth ventricle of the brain. As the fetus develops, the symptoms increase. Cleft lip and hard palate, syndactyly, and kidney anomalies become visible.
If for any reason an ultrasound examination of the fetus was not performed, the pathology of Dandy Walker is detected, in most cases, almost immediately after the birth of the child. Due to the increase in intracranial pressure, the baby behaves very restlessly, he develops hydrocephalus, muscle spasms are noted, involuntary oscillatory eye movements - nystagmus. The course of the disease is possible without signs of hydrocephalus.
At an older age, Dandy Walker syndrome begins to manifest itself with cerebellar symptoms. The child's coordination of movements is impaired, which creates problems when walking, up to the impossibility of independent movement. The main symptom of the disease is significant intellectual underdevelopment, which practically cannot be corrected. In addition, with Dandy Walker's pathology, there may be concomitant somatic problems. First of all, these are malformations of the heart and kidneys, abnormalities in the structure of the face, fingers and toes, as well as vision problems.
Dandy Walker syndrome, causes
Modern medicine cannot say with sufficient precision why certain intrauterine malformations occur. Of course, there are certain risk factors that can lead to a congenital anomaly in the fetus. In the formation of Dandy Walker syndrome, the cause is often viral diseases suffered by the mother during pregnancy, especially in the first three months. The greatest danger in this case is presented by rubella and cytomegalovirus infection. A significant role in the occurrence of Dandy Walker's anomaly in the child is played by the presence of such a severe metabolic disease as diabetes in the expectant mother.
Very often, the pathology of the development of a bearing child is observed in women suffering from chronic alcoholism. It is to such mothers, in most of the cases of the disease identified, that children suffering from Dandy Walker syndrome are born. This is due to the fact that the overwhelming number of women who abuse alcohol are extremely irresponsible about bearing a child. With such a gross developmental pathology as Dandy Walker's anomaly, termination of pregnancy for medical reasons is often recommended. The lack of timely ultrasound examination leads to the birth of an infant with a severe congenital malformation.
It should be noted that the causes of Dandy Walker's syndrome may also be hereditary. However, sporadic cases are more common. This causes a feeling of confusion among future parents who have learned about the confirmation of such a diagnosis, and puts them before a serious choice.
Dandy Walker syndrome, treatment and prognosis
Congenital pathology can be of varying severity, which requires an appropriate approach to its correction. In the presence of a severe form of Dandy Walker's defect, the born child, as a rule, dies in the first months of life. If the existing anomaly is compatible with life, then the further mental development of such a baby is very problematic. He will have an extremely low level of intelligence, inaccessible to remedial training. Thus, with Dandy Walker syndrome, the prognosis of a child's development is very unfavorable.
Treatment of such an anomaly makes little sense. However, with increasing hydrocephalus, surgical intervention is required. To reduce intracranial pressure, shunting of the fourth ventricle of the brain is performed, which contributes to the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid. With Dandy Walker syndrome, treatment is possible only symptomatic, since the patient's intellectual underdevelopment cannot be corrected. The motor function of his body is also significantly impaired. In severe cases, the child does not walk or sit on his own.
In addition, you need to remember about the diseases associated with Dandy Walker syndrome. Many of them require medical attention. These are heart defects, anomalies in the development of the kidneys, and maxillofacial pathology. These diseases significantly complicate the already difficult basic diagnosis.
The detection of Dandy Walker's anomaly in the fetus puts potential parents before a choice - to terminate the pregnancy or give birth to a child with an incurable pathology. In this situation, it is difficult to advise anything. However, when deciding to prolong the pregnancy, it should be remembered that the sick baby will need the help of his parents all his life. And since the prognosis of a child's development is very problematic with Dandy Walker syndrome, it is necessary to take such a responsible decision very seriously.
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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
