Prognosis[edit]
There is no standard treatment for hydranencephaly. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Hydrocephalus may be treated with surgical treatment of a shunt, which often grants a much better prognosis and greater quality of life. It is important to remember that, just as typically developing children, those with hydranencephaly are unique with varying degrees of abilities.[9]
The prognosis for children with hydranencephaly is generally quite poor. Death often occurs in the first year of life,[10] but other children may live several years. The oldest known person living with hydranencephaly is 33 years old (as of August 2013).[11]
Medical text identifies that hydranencephalic children simply have only their brain stem function remaining, thus leaving formal treatment options as symptomatic and supportive.[6] Severe hydrocephalus causing macrocephaly, a larger than average head circumference, can easily be managed by placement of a shunt[4] and often displays a misdiagnosis of another lesser variation of cephalic condition due to the blanketing nature of hydrocephalus.[6] Plagiocephaly, the asymmetrical distortion of the skull, is another typical associated condition that is easily managed through positioning and strengthening exercises to prevent torticollis, a constant spasm or extreme tightening of the neck muscles.