Have you heard about “Baby Klaus” in Texas? Baby Klaus is an 11-month-old with a severe case of congenital hydrocephalus – a rare condition that’s characterized by excess buildup of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain at birth. Hydrocephalus is sometimes known as “water on the brain,” and it affects about 1 in every 1,000 newborns.

In normal infants, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drains and is absorbed by the body. But in babies with hydrocephalus, the fluid does not drain and it accumulates, leading to increased pressure on the brain. If left untreated, this can cause brain damage, mental and physical problems in the child. Early diagnosis and treatment in the first 3 or 4 months of the infant’s life helps prevent long-term problems and consequences.

Baby Klaus and his severe case of Congenital Hydrocephalus

Unfortunately, in the case of Baby Klaus, he has been living with this condition for almost a year. The extra fluid has caused his head to swell more than double its normal size. According to the New York Daily News, Baby Klaus’s head has swelled to 131 percent larger than an average newborn’s head. [Read more…] about “Baby Klaus” Rare Condition (Hydrocephalus) Causes Head to Double its Size