[Hydrocephalus in infancy. Normal cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, hydrocephalus--causes--therapy--lethality--prognosis].

This article begins with a description of physiological and pathophysiological knowledge of CSF dynamics with special regard to the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus. This includes findings obtained by electron-microscopic examination of the cerebral cortex in infants. Clinical diagnosis and CT findings show that it is not possible to postulate a relationship between ventricle size and subsequent mental development. Surgery and postsurgical complications are briefly discussed. Calculations of survival probability and intellectual development--including school education and careers chosen by the patients, now aged between 17 and 25--complete this review.