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Are we all talking about the same thing? It sounds like folks are using the terms HYDRANENCEPHALY and HYDROCEPHALUS interchangeably. From what I understand, they are not the same condition.
From what I know so far, HYDRANENCEPHALY has the poorer prognosis, with children typically "looking different" (larger head, etc.) and unlikely to live past childhood. Also, they are developmentally delayed. Where key parts of the brain should be in these children, there is fluid. HYDRANENCEPHALY is also very rare, about one in 10,000 births.
HYDROCEPHALUS has the better prognosis, with some children of even above average intelligence (though developmental delay is certainly possible, too). Life span is fairly normal. This condition is also referred to as "water on the brain". The brain is not replaced by fluid, as it is in hydranencephaly. But there are problems with having excess fluid around the brain, and a shunt is often indicated. HYDROCEPHALUS is more common.
So what was the question? ;)