Keisha is a 5-month-old baby from Haiti, where she lives with parents and her older sister. Keisha is just starting to smile.
Keisha has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid –the fluid which surrounds the brain– accumulates in the brain, increasing intracranial pressure. The accumulation of fluid has caused Keisha’s head to expand beyond a normal range. In addition, Keisha has been experiencing another symptom–her eyes are focused downward (sometimes called “sunsetting of the eyes”).
Keisha was brought to the hospital recently, needing emergency treatment for the pressure in her head. The neurosurgeon was able to temporarily relieve the pressure by removing some fluid from Keisha’s head. But Keisha needs further treatment or else she will experience severe physical and developmental delays.
Keisha is scheduled for surgery to put a flexible plastic tube called a shunt in her brain to redirect the cerebrospinal fluid into another part of her body. The shunt typically isn’t ever removed, and regular checkups are important to make sure it’s working. Draining the excess fluid from Keisha’s brain will reduce the pressure and greatly improve the quality of her life. With proper treatment, Keisha will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl.
Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Keisha at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in Haiti where this care is currently available, and the procedure is scheduled to take place on October 19th.
Keisha’s family is hoping that the surgery will be a success and she can have a healthier future.