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Success! Alex from Kenya raised $720 to fund surgery to treat hydrocephalus.

Alex
100%
  • $720 raised, $0 to go
$720
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Alex's treatment was fully funded on February 3, 2023.

Photo of Alex post-operation

February 13, 2023

Alex underwent surgery to treat hydrocephalus.

Alex’s surgery was done successfully with no complications. He was admitted in the hospital for a few days after his surgery so that doctors could monitor his recovery. Alex had also been diagnosed with anencephaly, a condition where a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. He now has a shunt to help drain the excess water in the head and will later undergo another surgery to cover the open part of his scalp.

Alex now comes for post-operation visits to support his recovery and for his doctors to decide when they will do the next surgery.

Alex’s mother says, “In our community, we had never seen such a condition and it was a very hard time for us, but we are happy that treatment has begun.”

Alex’s surgery was done successfully with no complications. He was admitted in the hospital for a few days after his surgery so that doctors...

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November 15, 2022

Alex is a sweet baby from Kenya and the youngest in his family of five children. His parents own livestock but, because of an ongoing drought, they have had to sell some of their livestock to provide food for the family.

Alex has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of this condition, Alex has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Alex will experience severe physical and developmental delays.

Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Alex receive treatment. On November 16th, he will undergo a procedure to drain the excess fluid from his brain, which will decrease intracranial pressure. This treatment will help Alex as he develops into a strong, healthy young boy. AMH is requesting $720 to cover the cost of this surgery.

Alex’s mother says: “It has been a very hard time for me as I have to stay with him all the time because of his condition. I want to help in the provision for my children.”

Alex is a sweet baby from Kenya and the youngest in his family of five children. His parents own livestock but, because of an ongoing drough...

Read more

Alex's Timeline

  • November 15, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Alex was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • November 16, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Alex received treatment at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) in Kenya. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • November 18, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Alex's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 3, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Alex's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 13, 2023
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Alex's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 6 donors

Funded by 6 donors

Treatment
Hydrocephalus - Shunt
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $720 for Alex's treatment
Hospital Fees
$537
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$28
Supplies
$0
Labs
$120
Other
$35
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Symptoms of hydrocephalus include an enlarged head size, irritability, abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and increased intracranial pressure. Cognitive development can be affected, and damage to the optic nerve can cause blindness.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

In young children, hydrocephalus affects brain development, cognition, and vision. In older children and adults, hydrocephalus also causes headaches.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

The burden of infant hydrocephalus in East Africa is significant, with more than 6,000 new cases estimated per year. The majority are caused by neonatal infection and vitamin deficiency, and should thus be preventable. In East Africa, the single most common cause of hydrocephalus is infection, usually via neonatal meningitis or ventriculitis. Neonatal sepsis is common and is exacerbated by the lack of skilled perinatal care for the majority of births in Africa.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Hydrocephalus patients are usually treated within a few days of arriving at the hospital. Fortunately, our medical partner can accept many patients who would otherwise go home if they could not afford the surgery cost. Treatment involves inserting a shunt into the brain to route cerebrospinal fluid to another part of the body. One month after surgery, the patient returns for a follow-up appointment.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This surgery is lifesaving. The patient will no longer be at risk of cognitive and vision damage. Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus can restore and maintain normal cerebrospinal fluid levels in the brain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is treatable, though the outcome depends on how quickly the disease is identified and treated.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

There are few quality care centers in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition. With about one neurosurgeon per 10,000,000 people in East Africa, initial treatment for hydrocephalus is often unavailable.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Surgery is the only option.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.