LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2012, as Hydrocephalus Awareness Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, Derived from the Greek words "hydro" meaning water and "cepha-
lus" meaning head, hydrocephalus is a condition in which the primary
characteristic is excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain; and
WHEREAS, Hydrocephalus was once known as "water on the brain," however
the "water" is actually cerebrospinal fluid, a clear fluid that
surrounds the brain and spinal cord; excessive accumulation results in
an abnormal widening of spaces in the brain called ventricles, which
creates potentially harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain; and
WHEREAS, Cerebrospinal fluid has three important life-sustaining func-
tions: to keep the brain tissue buoyant, acting as a cushion or "shock
absorber"; to act as the vehicle for delivering nutrients to the brain
and removing waste; and to flow between the cranium and spine and
compensate for changes in intracranial blood volume; and
WHEREAS, The balance between production and absorption of cerebrospi-
nal fluid is critically important; because it is made continuously,
medical conditions that block its normal flow or absorption will result
in an over-accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid and the resulting pres-
sure of the fluid against brain tissue is what causes hydrocephalus; and
WHEREAS, There are many different types of hydrocephalus, including
congenital hydrocephalus, which is present at birth and may be caused by
either events or influences that occur during fetal development, or
genetic abnormalities; acquired hydrocephalus, which develops at the
time of birth or at some point afterward and affects individuals of all
ages and may be caused by injury or disease; communicating hydrocepha-
lus, which occurs when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked after
it exits the ventricles; and non-communicating hydrocephalus, which is
also called obstructive hydrocephalus and occurs when the flow of cere-
brospinal fluid is blocked along one or more of the narrow passages
connecting the ventricles; and
WHEREAS, Two other forms of hydrocephalus which primarily affect
adults are: hydrocephalus ex-vacuo, which occurs when stroke or traumat-
ic injury cause damage to the brain; and normal pressure hydrocephalus,
which can happen to people at any age, but it is most common among the
elderly and may result from a subarachnoid hemorrhage, head trauma,
infection, tumor, or complications of surgery; and
WHEREAS, The number of people who develop hydrocephalus or who are
currently living with it is difficult to establish since there is no
national registry or database of people with the condition; neverthe-
less, experts estimate that it affects approximately 1 in every 500
children; and
WHEREAS, The causes of hydrocephalus are still not well understood; it
may result from inherited genetic abnormalities, developmental disor-
ders, complications of premature birth such as intraventricular hemor-
rhage, diseases such as meningitis, tumors, traumatic head injury, or
subarachnoid hemorrhage; and
WHEREAS, The symptoms of hydrocephalus vary with age, disease progres-
sion, and individual differences in tolerance to the condition; for
example, an infant's ability to compensate for increased cerebrospinal
fluid pressure and enlargement of the ventricles differs from an
adult's; and
WHEREAS, In infancy, the most obvious indication of hydrocephalus is
often a rapid increase in head circumference or an unusually large head

size; other symptoms may include vomiting, sleepiness, irritability,
downward deviation of the eyes and seizures; and
WHEREAS, Older children and adults may experience headache followed by
vomiting, nausea, papilledema, blurred or double vision, sunsetting of
the eyes, problems with balance, poor coordination, gait disturbance,
urinary incontinence, slowing or loss of developmental progress, lethar-
gy, drowsiness, irritability, or other changes in personality or cogni-
tion including memory loss; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus include, problems
with walking, impaired bladder control leading to urinary frequency
and/or incontinence, and progressive mental impairment and dementia; and
WHEREAS, Hydrocephalus is diagnosed through clinical neurological
evaluation and by using cranial imaging techniques such as ultrasonogra-
phy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or pressure-moni-
toring techniques; and
WHEREAS, Most often, hydrocephalus is treated by surgically inserting
a shunt system which diverts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to another
area of the body where it can be absorbed as part of the normal circula-
tory process; and
WHEREAS, The prognosis for individuals diagnosed with hydrocephalus is
difficult to predict, although there is some correlation between the
specific cause of the hydrocephalus and the outcome; and
WHEREAS, Affected individuals and their families should be aware that
hydrocephalus poses risks to both cognitive and physical development;
however, many children diagnosed with the disorder benefit from rehabil-
itation therapies and educational interventions and go on to lead normal
lives with few limitations; and
WHEREAS, The symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus usually get
worse over time if the condition is not treated, although some people
may experience temporary improvements; while the success of treatment
with shunts varies from person to person, some people recover almost
completely after treatment and have a good quality of life; early diag-
nosis and treatment improve the chance of a good recovery; and
WHEREAS, Raising awareness about hydrocephalus will play a key role in
prevention, treatment, and educating others and will result in better
health for all individuals in the State of New York and throughout the
nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2012, as
Hydrocephalus Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.