What is Hydrocephalus? 

Hydrocephalus is a condition where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain, causing pressure to increase inside the skull potentially causing brain damage, developmental delays, and even death if left untreated.  

Where we work, hydrocephalus in children is often associated with a range of factors, including:

Infectious Diseases: Infections like neonatal meningitis, tuberculosis, and malaria can lead to hydrocephalus. Meningitis, in particular, is a common cause of post-infectious hydrocephalus in infants.

Congenital Causes: Conditions such as aqueductal stenosis (a blockage in the brain’s ventricular system) and Chiari malformations (where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal) are common causes of hydrocephalus in newborns and infants.

Trauma and Birth Complications: Head injuries or complications during birth, such as asphyxia, can lead to the development of hydrocephalus in newborns.

Early diagnosis is crucial for preventing long-term damage, but access to medical imaging (like MRI or CT scans) is limited in many areas. Even when hydrocephalus is diagnosed, surgical interventions such as shunting are not always available, due to cost, lack of trained surgeons, and a shortage of necessary medical supplies.

At Humanity Direct we immediately book in any child that comes to us with hydrocephalus for a entriculoperitoneal shunt operation to drain the fluid away from brain means. The operation significantly improves the quality of life for children living with hydrocephalus, helping them to thrive and develop to their full potential.