Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, Inc. TEEN Group

09/30/2025

Hydrocephalus Fact :

Common symptoms of Hydrocephalus in young and middle-aged adults
Common symptoms in this age group include:
Headache.
Sluggishness.
Loss of coordination or balance.
Loss of bladder control or needing to urinate often.
Vision problems.
Decline in memory, concentration and other thinking skills that may affect job performance.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocephalus/symptoms-causes/syc-20373604

09/30/2025

Day 30 of National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month: National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month became official in July, 2009 when passed by the United States Congress HR 373. This bill was sponsored by Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann at the request of the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation. Prior to 2009, there was NO National Awareness Month. The PHF is proud to have been and continues to be the leader of Hydrocephalus Awareness in the U.S. Thank you for celebrating all month long with us!
This is 20 year old Hydro Hero Cole from NJ. Cole was and continues to be the inspiration behind the founding of the PHF. Today Cole celebrates 16 years SURGERY FREE!

09/29/2025

The symptoms of Hydrocephalus can vary by age.

Toddlers and older children
Among toddlers and older children, symptoms might include:
Physical symptoms
Headache.
Blurred or double vision.
Eye movements that are not usual.
Enlargement of a toddler's head.
Sleepiness or sluggishness.
Nausea or vomiting.
Trouble with balance.
Poor coordination.
Poor appetite.
Loss of bladder control or urinating often.
Behavioral and cognitive changes
Irritability.
Change in personality.
Decline in school performance.
Delays or problems with earlier gained skills, such as walking or talking.

Source : https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocephalus/symptoms-causes/syc-20373604

- Mads

09/29/2025

09/28/2025

Hydrocephalus Fact: The yearly incidence of infection and VP shunts ranges from 5-12%, with mortality as high as 60%. The majority of these infections occur within the first two months after placement, and 90% occur within the first six months [6]. …However, they are uncommon and occur most often due to hematogenous spread. In very rare cases, contact with the sick can be a source of infection [7].

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7053664/ #:~:text=About%204%25%20of%20VP%20shunts,years%20%5B1%2C4%5D.

- Mads

09/28/2025

Day 28 of National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month: There are over 180 different causes that result in hydrocephalus.
This is 7 year old Hydro Hero Parker from Iowa.

09/27/2025

There are two types of shunt valves :

1. Fixed pressure valves – These regulate the flow rate of cerebrospinal fluid based on a predetermined pressure setting.
2. Adjustable pressure valves – These valves regulate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid based on a pressure setting that can be adjusted. Using specially designed magnetic tools, your clinician can non-invasively change the pressure setting of the implanted adjustable valve during an office visit, without the need for another surgical procedure. (Typically these are programmable shunts )

http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/hydrocephalus-shunt/what-is-it.html

- Mads

09/27/2025

Day 27 of National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month: Increased intra-abdominal pressure has been reported to result in raised intracranial pressure in a variety of conditions such as obesity and pregnancy, and it also constitutes an infrequent cause of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt malfunction. Patients with neurological deficits, as those with myelomeningocele or cerebral palsy, are prone to developing a neurogenic bowel and to suffer chronic constipation. Although previously recognized, VP shunt failure attributed to constipation has only recently been described. Conservative treatment aimed at alleviating the increased intra-abdominal pressure resulted in complete resolution of the children's manifestations of VP shunt failure, without having to resort to surgical revision of the VP shunt.
This is 6 year old Hydro Hero Faruq Bello from Nigeria.

09/26/2025

Hydrocephalus fact :

There are two types of shunt valves :

1. Fixed pressure valves – These regulate the flow rate of cerebrospinal fluid based on a predetermined pressure setting.
2. Adjustable pressure valves – These valves regulate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid based on a pressure setting that can be adjusted. Using specially designed magnetic tools, your clinician can non-invasively change the pressure setting of the implanted adjustable valve during an office visit, without the need for another surgical procedure. (Typically these are programmable shunts )

http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/hydrocephalus-shunt/what-is-it.html

- Mads

09/26/2025

Day 26 of National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month; of Cerebrospinal Fluid: The total volume of CSF in the adult ranges from140 to 270 ml. The volume of the ventricles is about 25 ml. CSF is produced at a rate of 0.2 - 0.7 ml per minute or 600-700 ml per day. The circulation of CSF is aided by the pulsations of the choroid plexus and by the motion of the cilia of ependymal cells. An excessive build up CSF in the ventricles of the brain is known as Hydrocephalus.
This is 14 month old Hydro Hero Grant from Minnesota.

09/25/2025

Hydrocephalus Fact:
The ETV success rate depends on the cause of Hydrocephalus .

This procedure has a high success for patients with:

- Hydrocephalus in myelomeningocele
- Hydrocephalus associated with brain tumors
- Obstructive hydrocephalus with other causes ( ie aqueductal stenosis has a success rate as high as 90%)

Patients who have low success rate with this procedure include:

- Those with communicating hydrocephalus
- Children under the age of 2 years with hydrocephalus
- Patients with hydrocephalus who were previously treated with whole brain irradiation