Page "Hydranencephaly" Paragraph 6

Usually the cerebellum and brainstem are formed normally, although in some cases the cerebellum may also be absent.

An infant with hydranencephaly may appear normal at birth or may have some distortion of the skull and upper facial features due to fluid pressure inside the skull.

The infant's head size and spontaneous reflexes such as sucking, swallowing, crying, and moving the arms and legs may all seem normal, depending on the severity of the condition.

However, after a few weeks the infant sometimes becomes irritable and has increased muscle tone ( hypertonia ).

After several months of life, seizures and hydrocephalus may develop.

Other symptoms may include visual impairment, lack of growth, deafness, blindness, spastic quadriparesis ( paralysis ), and intellectual deficits.