Loretu is a two-month-old baby boy from Kenya. Loretu’s birth was celebrated as is the norm among her community. Ululations and celebrations filled the air early one morning as the cries of a newborn echoed from their Manyatta. However, Loretu’s mother’s joy was suddenly cut short and was replaced with anxiety when noticed something quite unusual. There was an opening on her son’s back. Panicked, she and Loretu’s father took their son to the dispensary, where they were referred to a larger hospital.
Loretu was diagnosed with spina bifida, a neural tube defect where the spinal column fails to close completely during early embryonic development. Doctors advised the family to have Loretu admitted at the hospital for a month before his surgery.
When it was time, Loretu was brought by his parents to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), where he underwent spinal closure surgery. As he recovered in the wards, doctors noticed that Loretu’s head was increasing at an alarming rate. Tests conducted revealed that Loretu had acquired hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. He has now been scheduled for a procedure to help drain the excess fluid that is currently accumulating in his brain. During his time in hospital, Loretu has accumulated hospital bills and his parents, pastoralists, are worried about how they would afford an additional surgery. Without treatment, Loretu will experience severe physical and developmental delays.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Loretu that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 11th, and will drain the excess fluid from Loretu’s brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Loretu will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy.
Loretu’s grandfather said: “My grandson has spent all his days in hospital. My daughter has never been the same since his diagnosis was made. I fear that if this goes on, I might end up losing both my daughter and grandson. However, with this surgery, I believe there’s still a chance for both of them.”
