Bill Text: MS SC534 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Mississippi Senate Concurrent Resolution 534 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Designate "Hydrocephalus Awareness Week in Mississippi."

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-29 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC534 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2010-SC534-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Watson, Frazier, Jackson (32nd)

Senate Concurrent Resolution 534

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE 2010 AS "HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS WEEK IN MISSISSIPPI."

WHEREAS, hydrocephalus is the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. In most instances, hydrocephalus is a lifelong condition in that the patient is treated rather than "cured" as there is no known way to prevent or cure it. The primary method used to treat hydrocephalus is by means of a one-way calibrated device called a shunt; and

WHEREAS, treatment by shunting, or draining, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to another area of the body, generally allows patients to lead full and active lives. Although, shunts were a major medical breakthrough, there are problems that still remain unsolved in the treatment of hydrocephalus, such as shunt obstruction and infection; and

WHEREAS, an overwhelming majority of newborns with hydrocephalus will have a normal life span and normal or even superior intelligence. In addition, they will enjoy normal activities and be useful members of society. However, there are complications associated with hydrocephalus with learning disabilities being one of the more prevalent; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, one in 1,000 births are affected by hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is one of the most common "birth defects" and afflicts in excess of 10,000 babies each year. There are 70,000 discharges a year from hospitals in the United States with a diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Birth defects account for about one in six infant deaths in Mississippi. More than 50% of hydrocephalus cases are congenital. As many as 75% of children with hydrocephalus will have some form of motor disability. Over the past 25 years, death rates associated with hydrocephalus have decreased from 54% to 5%; intellectual disability has decreased from 62% to 30%; and

WHEREAS, the Hydrocephalus Foundation, Inc. (HyFI) is a registered, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, educational resources and networking opportunities to patients and families affected by hydrocephalus, assisted by the Mississippi Chapter of the March of Dimes. Both groups also promote related research and facilitates the training of health care professionals to improve patient outcome; and

WHEREAS, we join all concerned citizens of our state in focusing on the medical complications resulting from this birth defect:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate the first week of June 2010 as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Week in Mississippi" and join the Mississippi Chapter of the March of Dimes and the Hydrocephalus Foundation in activities designed to focus on this serious birth defect.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Mississippi Chapter of the March of Dimes, the Hydrocephalus Foundation, the State Board of Health and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.