Karen Ortiz

End Date: Oct 2, 2012 12:00 AM

In Villa Santa, a little girl named Karen lives with her family in a two-room home. Sadly, Karen, at just one year of age, suffers from a serious case of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus literally means “water on the brain”. Medically speaking, Karen’s body produces cerebrospinal fluid like normal but her brain is not able to rid itself of the proper amount in the proper time period. This results in a build up of CSF in her brain. This accumulation results in an enlarged ventricle area in her brain. As these ventricles, or cavities, become larger, they create harmful pressure on the brain.

There are many symptoms of hydrocephalus, including rapid increase in the circumference of the head size. As you can see in the pictures, this is the most prominent sign of the disorder. Along with this sign, Karen suffers from downward vision of the eyes, limited movement, vomiting, and poor coordination, among others. At the rate of the growth and pressure, Karen does not have much more time to her life. After Karen was born, the sutures of her skull were not yet closed, letting her head accommodate the pressure and accumulation of fluid. However, as she has grown older the sutures of her skull have begun to close, lending themselves to less give, which is starting to cause serious problems, and will continue to cause more serious problems in the future. In Karen’s case, it is predicted that if her condition is not treated she will pass away within the next year.

With the distance of Karen’s home from hospitals and private clinics in Tegucigalpa, Karen’s family never thought they would be able to get her the help she needs. We are hoping that with student support, we can bring Karen and her family the change they never thought they would get to see. She will need surgery to help drain the fluid from her brain and a shunt (a surgically modified passage for the fluid) in order to continue to improve the fluid drainage.

Through the incredible efforts of USD and UCSC, $550, the necessary funds, were raised for the surgery to remedy hydrocephalus. However, Karen’s family decided to not proceed with the surgery and graciously supported our team in donating the shunt to another child in need.

UPDATE! On November 20, 2012, Dr. Bruce from the Patient Referral team was able to deliver this shunt to a boy named Cesar David Flores Mencia in Hospital Escuela. Cesar is six months old and has been waiting in the hospital with his mother, Milyian, for an incredible opportunity like this. Thanks to USD and UCSC, they do not have to wait any longer! Cesar should be receiving the surgery within two weeks of the donation. This is especially wonderful news because Cesar comes from one of the ten poorest communities in Honduras and without this donation, he may not have been able to receive care in time. On behalf of Cesar, his family, and everyone else who was a part of this case, we thank you!