Final answer:
An infant presenting with an increased head size, prominent occiput, cerebellar ataxia, and delayed motor development is likely suffering from hydrocephalus, which is evident by enlarged ventricles on CT or MRI. Associated symptoms can range from apnea and difficulty feeding to more severe symptoms like seizures and hemiparesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
An infant with an increasing head size, prominent occiput, cerebellar ataxia, and delayed motor development most likely has hydrocephalus. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain, leading to increased intracranial pressure. On a CT or MRI, you would typically see enlarged ventricles, which are a hallmark of hydrocephalus.
Loading disorders that may exhibit these symptoms include hereditary conditions causing degeneration of the cerebellum or spinal cord, and abnormal accumulation of substances, as seen in Wilson's disease. Additionally, electromyography and MRI tests can help to confirm deficiencies in the spinal cord and cerebellum, which are part of the functional division of the nervous system responsible for controlling coordinated movements.
Pressure and volume changes within the brain can lead to a range of symptoms in infants, such as temperature instability, apnea, bradycardia, hypotension, difficulty feeding, irritability, limpness, seizures, bulging fontanel, stiff neck, opisthotonos, and hemiparesis. In cases of early onset disease, these symptoms are critical to identify and treat promptly to prevent fatal outcomes.