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Welcoming a newborn into the world should be filled with joy and relief, but for some families, it is overshadowed by the devastating news that their baby has suffered a serious brain condition such as hydrocephalus. While hydrocephalus can sometimes be congenital (present at birth due to genetic or developmental conditions), in many cases it develops because of preventable medical errors during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
When hydrocephalus is caused by negligence—whether from a delayed diagnosis, improper monitoring, or failure to treat complications—the results can be life-altering. Children may suffer permanent cognitive and physical impairments, and families are left facing staggering medical costs.
At Snyder & Wenner, P.C., we have been fighting for Arizona families for over 40 years. With offices in Phoenix and Tucson, and clients throughout Flagstaff, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, and beyond, we are recognized nationally for handling complex medical malpractice and birth injury cases. If your child’s hydrocephalus could have been prevented, we will help you uncover the truth, hold negligent providers accountable, and secure the compensation your family needs.
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Hydrocephalus is a serious condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain’s ventricles. Normally, CSF circulates around the brain and spinal cord to cushion tissues, remove waste, and deliver nutrients. When its flow or absorption is disrupted, fluid accumulates, the ventricles enlarge, and pressure inside the skull increases.
This pressure can:
Erb’s palsy is almost always the result of birth trauma—a preventable injury caused by excessive force or improper medical management during delivery. The most common scenario is shoulder dystocia, when the baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head has been delivered.
Present at birth, often linked to genetic factors, brain malformations, or developmental conditions.
Develops during or after birth due to trauma, infection, hemorrhage, or complications that interfere with normal CSF circulation.
In both forms, early detection and treatment are critical. A failure to act in time can permanently change the course of a child’s life.
Hydrocephalus can arise from several different medical circumstances. Some are unpreventable, but many are linked to negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
Common Causes Include:
While some risk factors cannot be controlled, many of these scenarios can and should be recognized and managed by competent medical professionals.
Doctors are trained to watch for the warning signs of hydrocephalus, especially in high-risk newborns such as premature infants. Symptoms include:
When these signs appear, immediate diagnostic testing such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI is necessary. Delayed recognition and intervention can result in irreversible brain damage.
If hydrocephalus is left untreated, or if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the consequences can be profound and permanent.
Learning disabilities, memory problems, and difficulty with executive function.
Problems with speech, movement, and reaching milestones.
Muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and seizure disorders.
Increased pressure can damage optic and auditory nerves.
Children may face challenges with attention, mood regulation, and social development.
In severe cases, untreated hydrocephalus can be fatal.
The financial toll is equally devastating. According to the CDC, children with neurological birth injuries often face lifetime care costs of over $5 million, depending on severity.
Not all cases of hydrocephalus are preventable, but many acquired cases are the direct result of medical negligence. Steps that providers must take include:
When providers fail in these duties, the outcome is not just tragic. It is legally actionable.
The primary treatment for hydrocephalus is surgical. Two common methods include:
In addition to surgery, children may require:
These treatments can last a lifetime, adding to the importance of obtaining financial recovery through legal action.
Hydrocephalus malpractice claims often involve:
At Snyder & Wenner, P.C., we carefully investigate each case, working with top neurologists, neonatologists, and pediatric specialists to identify negligence and prove causation.
A successful hydrocephalus claim may cover:
Our team ensures every aspect of damages is fully calculated, often working with life-care planners and economists to project the true cost of lifelong care.
For more than 40 years, Snyder & Wenner has been the firm Arizona families turn to for serious birth injury cases. We are proud to be nationally respected for our results and compassion. Families choose us because:
We work on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we win.
If your child has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus and you believe negligence may have played a role, you deserve answers. At Snyder & Wenner, P.C., we will fight to hold negligent providers accountable and ensure your family has the resources to provide the best possible care for your child.
Call us today at (602) 224-0005 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Hydrocephalus is the build-up of fluid in some of the deepest parts of the brain, called “cavities.” When fluid builds up in the cavities, it puts extra pressure on the brain, which can then result in brain damage if it is not timely treated. Generally speaking, hydrocephalus may occur when the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds your brain and your spinal cord) that is produced is out of balance with the fluid that is absorbed into your body’s bloodstream. This fluid is critically important to keeping the brain safe by allowing it to float. If there is too much cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain (caused by obstruction, overproduction of the fluid, or poor absorption), then the imbalance can occur, leading to hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus is typically diagnosed by a neurological examination and brain imaging (ultrasound, MRI, and/or CT scan). Since hydrocephalus is caused by excess fluid in the brain, treatment most often includes placement of a shunt. This surgical procedures places a tube into the brain, which prevents the fluid from going in the wrong direction, and the wrong rate or speed. The tube takes excess fluid and moves it into other parts of the body where it can be safely absorbed. There are also other treatment options available, but a shunt is the most common.
As with most conditions, if hydrocephalus is not timely diagnosed and treated, it can cause serious issues. This can include mental dysfunction, visual problems, difficulty walking, urinary incontinence, and unconsciousness. If the hydrocephalus is left to continue causing damage to the person’s brain, it will usually be fatal.
Get to the doctor right away for a neurological examination. Since the next step usually involves imaging, it may make sense to present at the hospital where such services are immediately available. Hydrocephalus is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition, so do not delay in getting the right diagnosis and treatment for your child.
