Infants in Sub-Sahara Africa Affected by Hydrocephalus (Blog #1)

You and the World? More like me and my world. There are many issues that affect this world we all live in horrific ways and many in spectacular that shape us all. I am blessed with many fantastic things in my life and when I get the chance to give to people who are a lot more less fortunate than I am, I am all in. When my English teacher, Ms. Dunn, gave me the chance the shine a light on something I wanted to change in the world, I couldn’t pick one. Hunger? Poverty? War? Politics? Most of these are already in the spotlight and have many corporations and organizations fighting to stop these problems. But then I remembered a documentary  I had watched recently that spoke of a major drawback in sub-Saharan Africa, around Uganda, that affected 75% of the infants and newborns in that area. Hydrocephalus.
hydrocephalus-2
hydrocephalus-2
  ​(Above) A 1 year old baby who has had Hydrocephalus for the past 3 months. 

Pediatric Hydrocephalus is the build up of Cerebral Spinal Fluid that surrounds the brain that puts an increased amount of pressure on the head. This can be a very dangerous condition if not treated properly. Hydrocephalus causes the baby to grow a head unnaturally large in comparison to the body. So large, that the baby or infant can’t hold their head up by themselves.

cure
cure
The one and only hospital that supports the babies and infants with Hydrocephalus in Uganda and the surrounding areas. This hospital was founded by the CURE foundation.

            In the United States, 1 in every 500 baby delivered is diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. Fortunately, there are more than 3,500 neurologists in the United States to help cure the patient affected. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are about 100,000-375,000 NEW cases of Pediatric Hydrocephalus every year and more than 4,000 every month. In addition there are only four doctors that have the ability to help with this disease. Additionally, there is only one hospital in that entire area that patients can go to. The hospital isn’t close to most villages. Families affected must  save up all of their farming money for 6-7 months just to get transportation to the hospital. So by the time families come back home, they are usually always bankrupt. 

The scary reality and truth to this entire issue is that even 90% of the infants and babies affected by Hydrocephalus die...sometimes even with treatment. The mortality statistic is horrid. The infants affected die for a few reasons. One, because there aren't enough doctors, there aren't doctors to follow up on the procedure on the baby incase something goes wrong. Second, lack of money cause a lack of transportation to hospitals to get the proper help necessary. Third, there are some families who are tricked into believing that hydrocephalus is not a disease. They have elders in their neighborhood who trick them into paying them more than hospital costs to them "to take the devil out" of the child. 

What these people need is support from people like us in America who have so much to give. We need people oversees helping out. Doctors to help on the medical standpoint. Volunteers for the short distance transportation. Most importantly, teachers and educators to really educate people of the affected areas in Africa that this is a killer disease that happens all around the world and not in their local village. They need a helping hand and through this project I am determined to do so.

For more information or to contact me: nadeli@scienceleadership.org
Read Blog 2 & Blog 3 as well!
Bibliography if needed. 

Comments (5)

Nikki Adeli (Student 2015)
Nikki Adeli

Oh yes! I know, I really look up to Dr. Warf's work with the infants. His story is really moving. I will be mentioning him in my upcoming blogs on this matter. Be sure to check back in! I would love your input!

Estefan Carrillo (Student 2015)
Estefan Carrillo

I noticed that your did a lot of research on your topic and made sure to find out as much as possible about your topic

I wonder how people in america can help and how it affects them.

What if you added more visuals that would catch the readers attention.

Jeremiah Cunningham (Student 2015)
Jeremiah Cunningham

I noticed that you put a lot of thought and research into your blog.

I wonder how does this affect people here in America?

What if you focused more on the visuals rather than throwing a lot of information at the reader.

Rahed Albarouki (Student 2015)
Rahed Albarouki

I noticed that you did a lot of research for this topic. It showed in your writing.

I wonder what would happen if you wrote a little less and added more visuals?

What if you added more visuals? (pictures, videos, statistics, etc.)

Arianny Valdez (Student 2015)
Arianny Valdez

I noticed you had a lot of writing.

I wonder how many resources you used to find all your information.

What if you wrote just a little bit less. It was a lot of writing but Im glad you used visuals it made me want to read more about your topic. :)