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Christine is a five-month-old baby girl from Kenya who needs $720 to fund hydrocephalus treatment.

Christine
25%
  • $180 raised, $540 to go
$180
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$540
to go
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January 17, 2023

Christine is a five-month-old baby girl from Kenya. She is the youngest child in a family of three children. Her parents separated before she was born, and she and her siblings went to live with her mother and grandmother. Sadly, her grandmother has passed away, and the family now relies on other family members. Unfortunately, a while ago, her mother was involved in an accident that makes it difficult for her to work.

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

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Christine receive treatment. On January 18th, she will undergo a procedure where doctors will drain the excess fluid from her brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Christine will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Now, Christine and her family need help raising $720 to fund her procedure and care.

Christine’s mother shared, “it is very stressful as sometimes she cries a lot and I cannot tell what’s wrong.”

Christine is a five-month-old baby girl from Kenya. She is the youngest child in a family of three children. Her parents separated before sh...

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Christine's Timeline

  • January 17, 2023
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Christine was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria, SAFE Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • January 18, 2023
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Christine was scheduled to receive 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.

  • January 19, 2023
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Christine's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Christine is currently raising funds for her treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Christine's treatment update from African Mission Healthcare.

Funded by 4 donors

Profile 48x48 459898 10150782187631617 737811316 o
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Funded by 4 donors

Profile 48x48 459898 10150782187631617 737811316 o
Profile 48x48 vegvisir viking symbol of protection and guidance the runic viking compass
Treatment
Hydrocephalus - Shunt
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $720 for Christine'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.

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Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.