HYDROCEPHALUS AND SPINA BIFIDA SURGICAL CAMP

Description

Neuro Tube Defects (NTDs) are a group of congenital malformations affecting the nervous system. They include Spina Bifida, Encephaloceles and Anencephaly. An estimated 300 cases of congenital birth defects occurs globally and 40% in Sub- Saharan Africa. In Kenya the national prevalence of NTDs has not been conducted but institutional studies at Kenyatta National Hospital and Kijabe Hospital showed prevalence of 20% and 3.3% respectively. The causative factors are multifactorial and include nutritional, genetic and environmental. Folic acid and B12 nutritional supplements have been found to be associated with 70% reduction in Neuro Tube Defects in countries that have had a successful fortification program of cereals. The Kenya national health policy for fortification was enacted in 2012, but there has been no surveillance studies to assess the impact of the fortification. Early pregnancies have been associated with a high risk of Neuro Tube Defects and the current crisis of teen pregnancy could be a pointer of an impending surge of Neuro Tube Defects in the coming years. It costs about Ksh.300, 000 to perform V-P Shunting or repair of Spina Bifida on a single patient. This amount of money tends to be out of reach for many young mothers. This results in delays in seeking the right treatment and management which leads to complications that affect the normal development of the child and can also lead to death. The health and wellbeing of patients with spina bifida and hydrocephalus have been shown to improve depending on how quickly the condition was diagnosed and treated, and whether the patient had other underlying disorders. It is with this in mind that the Brain, Spine and Rehabilitation (BSR) Hospital and partners has organized the first annual multisectoral campaign and surgical camp on Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida to create awareness on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment plus individualized program on long term rehabilitation.

Objectives

Presenters

1. Dr. Mahmood Qureshi
   Chairman Neurological Society of Kenya, President - CAANS, WFNS Neuroendoscopy co-Chairman, WFNS Foundation Executive Board member, Vice President NED (Africa region), FIENS Board member, Coordinator C-CNS-ECSAR, a WFNS Reference Training Site, Observer, WHA as member of WHO-WFNS group
   Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi


2. Dr. Julius Kiboi
   Ag. Dean School of Medicine, University of Nairobi. Chairman, Department of Surgery University of Nairobi, Consultant Neurosurgeon
   University of Nairobi


3. Dr. Peter Wanyoike
   Dr. Peter Wanyoike is the executive director BSR hospital. He is a Neurosurgery a fellow of college of surgeons of East, Southern and Central Africa and a visiting fellow at Washington University in St. Louis & St. Louis University, Missouri, USA. He is a member of the Neurological Society of Kenya, Surgical Society of Kenya
   Brain Spine and Rehabilitation


4. Dr. Christopher Musau
   Dr. C.K Musau is the current Chairman, East African Association of Neurological Surgeons(EANNS). A master surgeon who trained in the Waltons Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery he has spent his career training neurosurgeons at the university of Nairobi.
   University of Nairobi


5. Dr. Samuel Njiru
   Consultant Neurosurgeon
   Kenyatta National hospital


6. Dr. Sylvia Shitsama
   consultant Neurosurgeon
   Jomo Kenyatta University