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| Personal details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fred Odhiambo |
| Age | 3.5 years |
| Place of birth | Nairobi (Kibera) |
| Residence | Nairobi |
| Country | Kenya |
Social situation:
Fred is one of four children of Beatrice (a widow, aged 30). She tries to make ends meet for her family each month through odd jobs. This is made almost impossible for her, as there are recurring medical costs for little Fred, with no cure in sight.
Medical problem:
Fred has been showing signs of progressive head enlargement since he was five months old. This is a case of ‘water on the brain’, i.e. hydrocephalus of unknown cause, which is a pathological enlargement of the fluid-filled spaces in the brain containing cerebrospinal fluid. The causes are varied: in addition to congenital factors, infections or benign and malignant tumours are also possible. The increased intracranial pressure has led to developmental disorders in Fred. Prompt diagnosis and treatment – i.e. reducing intracranial pressure by diverting cerebrospinal fluid via a shunt into the abdominal cavity or the right atrium of the heart – is essential.
Because of her son’s condition, Beatrice has been cast out by her relatives, who attribute the malformation to the mother’s ‘sinful behaviour’…
Please help little Fred to prevent his condition from leading to increasing disability and, ultimately, death!
Thank you very much!