What condition is characterized by an enlarged head due to excess cerebrospinal fluid?

Hydrocephalus is characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain's ventricles, leading to an increase in intracranial pressure and often resulting in an enlarged head. This condition can occur due to various reasons, including a blockage of CSF pathways, overproduction of CSF, or impaired absorption.

The excess fluid distends the ventricles, which can cause progressive enlargement of the head in infants, as their cranial sutures are not fully fused, allowing for this expansion. In contrast, conditions like spina bifida involve defects in the spinal column, cerebral palsy relates to movement and posture disorders often due to brain injury, and encephalopathy refers more broadly to any diffuse disease of the brain that can cause altered mental status, but does not specifically entail excess cerebrospinal fluid or an enlarged head. Understanding hydrocephalus and its impact on brain structure is essential for effective nursing care in neonatal patients.