Initial Management at Presentation
- Information to parents: An informative talk with the child’s parents will contribute to relief of anxiety.
- Protection of lesion: Only gentle manipulation of the lesion is done to avoid infection, erosion, or hemorrhage.
- Careful surgical planning: The patient is prepared as outlined on the Presentation page to anticipate possible procedural needs.
Adjunctive Therapies
- Seizures: Anticonvulsant therapy may be needed for children with associated seizures.
- Rehabilitation: Developmental delay can be associated with atretic encephaloceles. Infants identified with this lesion are commonly evaluated for physical, occupational, and speech therapy needs.
Follow-up
- Wound healing: Initial follow-up confirms healing of scalp closure. Long-term follow-up is needed to confirm closure of the skull defect.
- Hydrocephalus: Head growth should be followed for signs of developing ventriculomegaly or hydrocephalus.
- Development: Long-term follow-up is indicated for signs of developmental delay.
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