The symptoms of developing hydrocephalus depend on the age of the patient. In infants, excessive enlargement of the head is commonly seen. This is due to the softness of the skull bones in infants and the fact that the bones have not yet fused together. The soft spot at the front of the skull will enlarge and possibly bulge outward. The child may be irritable.
Vomiting is common.
Older children or adults will present in a different manner from infants. This difference is related to the fact that the skull is solid and the bones are strongly knit together. Increase in spinal fluid in this setting will result in increased intracranial pressure. Headaches, nausea and vomiting are common. Difficulties with vision such as visual loss, double vision and trouble looking up may be seen.