Dandy-Walker Syndrome
Definition
Dandy-Walker syndrome is a rare brain deformity that happens before birth. It affects an area in the back of the brain that controls movement, thinking, and behavior. It also causes a buildup of fluid in ventricles (chambers) around it.
Causes
The exact cause is not known. Genes may play a role.
Risk Factors
This problem may be more common in people who have a parent with it.
Symptoms
Problems may be:
- Increased head size
- Muscles that are very floppy or stiff
- Delayed development doing things like sitting up and walking
- Irritability
- Vomiting
- Jerky eye movements
- Problems with coordination
- Bulging of the back of the skull
- Breathing problems
- Seizures
- Problems controlling facial movements
- Learning problems
Children with this syndrome may also have other birth deformities of the brain, heart, face, or limbs.
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.
Images may be taken of the brain. This can be done with:
Treatment
There is no cure. The goal is to manage symptoms. This can be done with physical therapy and education services.
The buildup of fluid in the ventricles may need to be treated. Extra fluid can cause pressure and swelling in the brain. Fluid may be drained by:
- Shunt—A tube is placed from the brain to the abdomen to allow the extra fluid to drain out of the brain.
- Ventriculostomy—A connection is made from one ventricle to other areas that contain fluid. It allows extra fluid to drain out of the affected ventricle.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent this syndrome.
Resources
Genetics Home Reference
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov
Canadian Resources
Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation
http://www.cnsfederation.org
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
References
Dandy-Walker malformation. Genetics Home Reference—National
Institutes of Health website. Available at:
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/dandy-walker-malformation.
Dandy-Walker malformation. National Organization for Rare
Disorders website. Available at:
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/dandy-walker-malformation/.
Dandy Walker syndrome. BrainFacts.org—Society for
Neuroscience website. Available at:
https://www.brainfacts.org/diseases-and-disorders/neurological-disorders-az/diseases-a-to-z-from-ninds/dandy-walker-syndrome.
Dandy-Walker syndrome information page. National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at:
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Dandy-Walker-Syndrome-Information-Page.
Hydrocephalus in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available
at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hydrocephalus-in-children.
Kahle KT, Kulkarni AV, et al. Hydrocephalus in children. Lancet. 2016 Feb 20;387(10020):788-799.