H. Res. 373 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

July 29, 2009. 

Whereas Hydrocephalus is a serious neurological condition, 

characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal 

fluids in the ventricles of the brain; 

Whereas Hydrocephalus may cause head enlargement, 

blurred vision or blindness, seizures, impaired physical 

development, learning disabilities, progressive irreversible 

damage to the nerve cells in the brain, and even death; 

Whereas this serious neurological condition may occur at any 

age, and affects an estimated 1,000,000 people in the 

United States; 

Whereas 1 out of every 500 children in the United States are 

born with hydrocephalus, and the condition is the leading 

cause of brain surgery in children; 

Whereas more than 375,000 older adults in the United 

States suffer from hydrocephalus, the condition often 

goes undetected for years in older adults, causing such 

problems as difficulty walking and urinary incontinence, 

and may be misdiagnosed as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas the standard treatment for hydrocephalus, insertion 

of a shunt to drain excess cerebral fluid, is a 50-year-old 
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technology that carries multiple risks, including shunt 

failure, infection, and overdrainage; 

Whereas each year cerebral spinal fluid shunting procedures 

account for approximately $1,000,000,000 in health care 

spending in the United Sates alone, with half that 

amount spent on shunt revisions; 

Whereas more than 40,000 operations for hydrocephalus 

occur annually in the United States, yet there are fewer 

than 10 centers in the Nation specializing in the treatment of adults with hydrocephalus; 

Whereas although there is no single known cause of hydrocephalus or ways to prevent and cure the condition, with 

the appropriate diagnosis and proper treatment, individuals with hydrocephalus are able to lead full and productive lives; 

Whereas proper prenatal nutrition during the first weeks of 

conception can also help reduce the risk of children developing hydrocephalus; 

Whereas a September 2005 conference sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, entitled ‘‘Hydrocephalus: 

Myths, New Facts, Clear Directions’’, resulted in efforts 

to initiate new, collaborative research and treatment efforts; 

Whereas further research into the epidemiology, pathophysiology, disease burden, and improved treatment of hydrocephalus should be conducted and supported, including 

the collection and analysis of statistics and data concerning the seriousness of hydrocephalus and its impact 

on families in the United States; 

Whereas public awareness, professional education, and scientific research regarding hydrocephalus should increase 
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through partnerships between the Federal Government, 

health care professionals, and patient advocacy groups, 

such as the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation; 

Whereas these public-private partnerships would ensure that 

individuals suffering with hydrocephalus and their families are empowered with educational materials, informed 

about the latest research, have access to quality health 

care, and are able to advocate for increased research and 

funding in order advance the public’s understanding of 

the condition, improve the diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus, and one day, find a cure; and 

Whereas September would be an appropriate month to designate as ‘‘National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month’’: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 

the designation of ‘‘National Hydrocephalus Awareness 

Month’’. 

Attest: 

Clerk.