Hydrocephalus- vaccine injury?

[WindyCityMom]

Hello everyone
First a semi-intro...
Our DD1 is 26mos old, and DD2 is almost 2mos old. DD1 was vaccinated up until 18mos, and will receive no more. I was very pressure by doctors to vaccinate her, and finally got into a nonvax friendly family practice doctore DD2 had the VitK shot at birth because after trying everything to turn her we opted for a manual version.. so I didn't know if she had suffered trauma from it or what. She also rec'd the hep B and I was really out of it (I ended up with a c/s) and didn't know what the heck I was doing.

So, we're not vaxing anymore, period.

When my DD1, N, was 6 months old, she rec'd her vaccinations. A few days afterwards, the weirdest happened. I had laid her down, and her anterior fontanelle was protruding.. it looked like an egg on her head. She didn't fall or anything. It was strange. We took her to her doctor and they kind of brushed us off (same docs that used the intimidating vaccine tactics), so we took her to the children's hospital. They concluded that it was hydrocephalus, after an ultrasound of her brain. We were to follow up with a neurosurgeon to discuss it. Anyways, the fluid went down to normal levels after about a month, but on her growth charts, her head circ. is way above average from 6-9mos. It then leveled out.

I'm very curious.. I have an inclination that this was some sort of reaction to a vaccine, but I'm not sure which one. Does anyone know about this, or could someone give me some insight?

[KatWrangler]

Interesting. I thought this is something you were born with.

Hmm Did you go see the Neurosrugeon? Because if my kids head was swelling I would. No matter if it went down or not.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I would still check with the neurosurgeon as well. If there was a blockage not allowing the fluid to drain, I would want to know what caused it and whether there is the possibility of it happening again. Also, hydrocephalus can cause brain damage and I would want to have that looked into as well.

I have no idea if it can be a vaccine reaction. My only experience with it is having a brother who was born with it. I imagine maybe it could if the blockage was the result of some kind of swelling that caused the fluid to pool?

[WindyCityMom]

We did see the neurosurgeon. It was just weird- a sudden onset and then it went away. She's 26mos old now, and is perfectly fine, head circumfrence is normal for her age.

They told us that she was fine, no shunt needed, nothing, because it was so mild. She still had it when we saw the neurosurgeon (though it was lessening), and then it went away (we were told just to follow up with her regular docs).

She's been to three doctors since then (for primary care) and each one thinks that it is totally bizarre.

[ursaminor]

This thread caught my eye, because when I was young we some family friends, and their child had hydrocephalus. My parents and the family friends all had the same doctor (i guess he was part of a large ped group in the area but was very pro ebf, natural choice, and was in fact, pro-vax), but the only thing they could come up with was the condition was caused by a vaccine (I am not sure which one, i'd have to ask my mom if she remembers). This was very extreme case. Sorry I dont have much more info. just thought I'd share because I found it interesting..

[WindyCityMom]

nak

wow.. if you find out, please let me know!

[KimberlyD0]

I would suggest you find out more information about what happend.

Hydrocephalus is genetic and without treatment is can kill a child. It can also be caused by trama directly to the head, so brain injeries. (like a severe blow to the head)

It doesn't just go away on its own.

I had a cousin who died of this when he was 2. After having a stunt implanted they just couldn't control it and he saddly passed. He was born with it. I was 19 at the time

I suspect something else was going on. Not sure if it was a vax reaction or not. That would be something I would persue with the doctors.

[Niqhole]

My son was the perfect healthy baby. after his 6 month shots his head growth went off the chart when it came to his 9 month check up. Waited and Dr said we dont know 100 % if he needs a shunt but I think it is the best thing to do incase his head growth keeps increaseing and the fluid might keep building. Had a shunt placed at 13 months. There were not outward signs excpt his big  not average head and he was just the happiest little baby around. I regret the surgery just incase it was not needed and just maybe the fluid would have been normal... I wonder if any of this could have been from vax??? He was never injuried in any way that would have caused this and we have even had genetic testing and so far neg! We had another baby a year later and he is perfectly healthy...  

[twinsplusone]

First of all do I think the swelling was vax related? yes without a doubt

was it actually hydrocephaus? That I cant say for sure, but I doubt it.

There are a few things that can cause a soft spot to bulge & it isnt always hydrocephalus.

Increased intracranial pressure can cause it & vaccines can cause increased pressure

I am glad to hear however that the swelling went down & things seem to be back to normal.

I would have told you at the time to watch her very closely when getting any further vaccines, but obviously that isn't necessary now :)

My DD1 had a brain bleed in utero that was detected a couple weeks after getting Rhogam (given at 28wks).  It grew into a Grade III (worst is a Grade IV )& decided to deliver me.  They were going to shunt her at birth, then decided she was remaining stable.  She continued to be stable & didn't need a shunt.  I was being selective/delayed with vax.  She got one dose of DTaP & Hib at 2 mos & then the second dose at 4mos.  she immediately changed & displayed all signs of increased pressure, which I didnt put it all together because her twin bro was in the hospital sick...........I just assumed she had what he did with variations. Her head then basically blew up like a balloon.  I took her to her neurosurgeon & they did surgery the next day.

She obviously had an existing, although stable, condition that was HIGHLY effected by her 4 mo vax. Needless to say, my twins were never vaxed after that, & I was kicked out of our peds practice for stopping............when what I should have done was, sued the ped for malpractice since she had a history of hydrocephalus & when I brought her in because of vomiting & bulging fontanel he dismissed it completely.

She is now almost 9 & perfectly healthy & without any developmental delays

[miriam]

Encephalitis is a known side effect of vaccines, especially the DaPT.  I am glad you left the first paediatric practice.  I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.  Good luck.