THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY WAUGH, BOSCOLA, TARTAGLIONE, RAFFERTY, ORIE, BAKER, FERLO, FONTANA, PIPPY, DINNIMAN, O'PAKE AND COSTA, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating November 2010 as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Hydrocephalus is a serious neurological condition,

characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in

the ventricles of the brain; and

WHEREAS, There is no known cure for hydrocephalus, which

affects an estimated one million Americans; and

WHEREAS, Hydrocephalus is one of the most common birth

defects, as one to two out of every 1,000 babies are born with

hydrocephalus; and

WHEREAS, Another 6,000 children annually develop

hydrocephalus during the first two years of life; and

WHEREAS, More than 375,000 older Americans have

hydrocephalus, which is often undetected or misdiagnosed as

dementia, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease; and

WHEREAS, With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, people who

have hydrocephalus are able to live full and productive lives;

and

WHEREAS, The standard treatment for hydrocephalus was

developed in 1952 and carries multiple risks, including shunt

failure, infection and over-drainage; and

WHEREAS, Further research into the epidemiology,

pathophysiology, disease burden and improved treatment of

hydrocephalus is needed; and

WHEREAS, There are fewer than ten centers in the United

States specializing in the treatment of adults with normal-

pressure hydrocephalus; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the people of the United States spend

more than $1 billion to treat hydrocephalus; and

WHEREAS, The month of September 2010 is recognized nationally

as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month"; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Commonwealth residents suffer from the

effects of hydrocephalus and are required to obtain specialized

treatment to alleviate the symptoms of this condition; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to several renowned

medical institutions and other organizations working to increase

public awareness and develop new treatments that will improve

the lives of those who are afflicted with this condition;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate November 2010 as

"Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and call upon

all residents of this Commonwealth to raise awareness of

hydrocephalus by participating in appropriate activities.