Postinfectious hydrocephalus in African infants: common, under-recognised, devastating, and potentially preventable

Abstract

With an almost 200 000 estimated new cases of infant hydrocephalus annually, this disease constitutes a heavy burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa.1 A 2011 analysis estimated that untreated infant hydrocephalus in these countries could result in annual economic losses of more than US$50 billion.2 Currently, the only available treatments for infant hydrocephalus require neurosurgical intervention, to which there is very poor access across Africa. This means that many, and perhaps most, of these infants are never treated, resulting in unnecessary suffering, disability, and death.