'We're behind on baby checks for serious condition'

A charity has met with the Health Secretary to argue that more checks are needed in infancy to find a serious condition that can cause brain damage.

Hydrocephalus is caused by excess spinal fluid or some call it "water on the brain".

Founder of Hampshire-based charity Harry's Hat, Caroline, said: "About one-in-770 babies get hydrocephalus. That is as common as Down's syndrome."

Health practitioners in England and Wales are currently expected to measure a baby's head shortly after birth and then six-to-eight weeks later to see if a baby's head is too big.

In the USA, EU and Scandinavia, babies' heads are measured between six and 11 times in their first year.

Caroline from Yateley founded the charity after her son Harry had life-saving brain surgery after being diagnosed with hydrocephalus.

She said Health Secretary, Wes Streeting told her he would talk with the relevant medical bodies to ask them to consider if a review of the current guidelines is necessary.

Mum Louise, from Surrey, said her 14-year-old son Lucas was diagnosed with hydrocephalus by chance: "I was visiting a registrar for another reason and they were worried that Lucas's head looked a bit big and so they did an ultrasound which identified the swelling on his brain."

She counts her son and family as one of the lucky ones because for those where the condition is caught late, it can cause permanent brain damage leading to severe disabilities like not being able to talk or move.

For Louise, that is why measuring a baby's head more than twice in the first year of life is important.

The Department of Health told BBC Radio Surrey: "It's vitally important that babies with hydrocephalus are diagnosed as early as possible so they can get the treatment they need, and we are seeking advice from NICE and the Royal Colleges on the value of a clinical review of the current guidelines.

"We are determined to make sure all families get the help they need in making sure their babies and young children are healthy."

A number of MPs and the Speaker of the House, Sir. Lindsay Hoyle are supporting the charity.

MP for Esher and Walton, Monica Harding said: "We are behind other developed nations and children's lives are at risk."

Alex Brewer, the MP for North-East Hampshire who used to run a children's charity, added: "This is a change that would not cost a lot of money at all. It has the potential to save lives and to prevent profound disability from developing. I'm struggling to understand why a review is needed at all."

Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon, Mr. Jay Jayamohan from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford thinks most health visitors want to do more measurements when they see babies.

But that structural time pressure prevents it, "cynically, it's all about money", he said.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.