Background: Hydrocephalus is defined as a disturbance of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) formation, flow, or absorption, leading to an increase in volume occupied by this fluid in the central nervous system (CNS). This disease affects all age groups, from in-utero to old age, and its prevalence and incidence are expected to rise with ageing demography. The mortality associated with untreated hydrocephalus is alarmingly high, ranging from to 87 %. The morbidity associated with hydrocephalus is significant and includes seizures, development delay psychomotor retardation, and dementia and gift difficulties. There is no currently available data on the major causes of hydrocephalus at Bugando medical centre, therefore this study will help to provide relevant data on the common causes of hydrocephalus at Bugando medical centre.
Method: A cross section hospital-based study involving 196 women post vaginal delivery at Bugando medical centre from July to September 2019. Data will be obtained through structured questionnaire and data analysis will be done by using SPSS version 20.
Outcomes: Among 196 women post vagina delivery at Bugando medical centre from July to September 2019 in pediatric ward 41 children have found to have hydrocephalus where by 30 (73.2%) developed within a first week of life and 11 (26.8%) develop after first week which suggest that most of them are congenital associated. Other risk factor are folic acid supplementation where by about 35 (85.4%) child who has hydrocephalus there mother they didn’t take folic acid during pregnancy. Also febrile illness during pregnancy cause about 35 (84.5%) they have born child who having hydrocephalus. Also history of neonatal sepsis contribute up to 8 (19.5%) While other factors like maternal HIV status and birth asphyxia it has low risk about 1 (2.4%) and 4 (9.8%) respectively.
Wurzburg Road 35, BMC Premises, Post Code: 33102: P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza – Tanzania: Phone: +255 28 298 3384: Fax: +255 28 298 3386: Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz: www.bugando.ac.tz