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Although you may have not heard the word hydrocephalus (hi-dro-seff-a-lus), it is not an uncommon condition. Hydrocephalus has no ethnic or gender preferences – and it can develop at any time during gestation all the way through to senior adulthood.
Here are a few facts about Hydrocephalus:
- Hydrocephalus is one of the most common birth defects, each year one out of every 500 births results in hydrocephalus
- Another 6,000 children annually develop hydrocephalus during the first 2 years of life
- Brain injury occurs every 15 seconds in this country - and in some cases leads to the development of hydrocephalus
- There are approximately 75,000 discharges a year from hospitals in the U.S. with a diagnosis of hydrocephalus
- More than 50% of hydrocephalus cases are congenital
- 70-90% of children born with spina bifida also develop hydrocephalus
- CSF shunting procedures account for approximately $100 million health care spending in the United States alone - half of this amount is spent on shunt revisions
- In the past 25+ years, death rates associated with hydrocephalus have decreased from 54% to 5%, and the occurrence of intellectual disability has decreased from 62% to 30%
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus affects adults and can cause dementia, difficulty in walking and, urinary incontinence
- No statistics are kept (by our government), for those who develop
For more facts, please download our More Facts About Hydrocephalus informational sheet.
What is Hydrocephalus?
Aspects of Hydrocephalus
Causes of Hydrocephalus
Facts about Hydrocephalus
How is Hydrocephalus Diagnosed?
Signs of Hydrocephalus & Shunt Malfunctions
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Types of Seizures