Newborn baby need your help for Neuro Mass surgery and Neuroblastoma Treatment

Patient’s name: Noor Riqqa Casilda

Identification No: T191xxxxZ

Birthdate: 18 April 2019

She was found to have “water in her brain” when she was a fetus at 22nd week of pregnancy.

Scientifically known as Hydrocephalus.

Along with water in the brain, the medical team also found that the fibre that connects the left and right brain is missing, scientifically known as Agenesis of Corpus Collasum.

Agenesis of Corpus Collasum: Agenesis of corpus callosum (ACC) is a rare disorder that is present at birth (congenital). It is characterized by a partial or complete absence (agenesis) of an area of the brain that connects the two cerebral hemispheres (left and right brain). This part of the brain is normally composed of transverse fibers. This particular fibre is needed for the right and left brain to coordinate or ‘tell’ each other what the limbs doing and why they are doing a certain action.

Symptoms:

may begin early in life are feeding problems and delays in holding the head erect. Sitting, standing and walking may also be delayed. Impairment of mental and physical development, and/or an accumulation of fluid in the skull (hydrocephalus) are also symptomatic of the early onset type of this disorder.

Hydrocephalus, is when the water/fluid in the brain is a condition where there is an abnormal build up of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) in the cavities (ventricles) of the brain. Function of CSF: protects the nervous system, removes waste and nourishes the brain. The build-up is often caused by an obstruction that prevents proper fluid drainage. Build-up of CSF can raise pressure inside the skull, which squashes surrounding brain tissue.

Complications of the condition but not limited to as follows:

the head to steadily grow in size, convulsions, and brain damage, headaches, vomiting, blurred vision, cognitive problems, and walking difficulties. Hydrocephalus can be fatal if left untreated.

Symptoms of congenital hydrocephalus (present at birth):

breathing difficulties

arm and leg muscles may be stiff and prone to contractions

some developmental stages may be delayed, such as sitting up or crawling

the fontanel, the soft spot on the top of the head, is tense and bulges outward

irritability, drowsiness, or both

unwillingness to bend or move the neck or head

poor feeding

the head seems larger than it should be

the scalp is thin and shiny and there may be visible veins on the scalp

pupils of the eyes may be close to the bottom of the eyelid, sometimes known as "the setting sun"

there may be a high-pitched cry

possible seizures

possible vomiting

Symptoms of acquired hydrocephalus, which develops after birth, are:

rarely, bowel incontinence

confusion, disorientation, or both

drowsiness and lethargy

headaches

irritability, which may get worse

lack of appetite

nausea

personality changes

problems with eyesight, such as blurred or double vision

seizures or fits

urinary incontinence

Changes in gait: The person may feel as if they are frozen on the spot when taking their first step to start walking. They may appear to shuffle rather than walk.

Normal thinking process slows down: The person may respond to questions more slowly than normal, there may be delayed reactions to situations. The individual's ability to process information slows down.

Urinary incontinence: This usually comes after changes in gait.

Treatment:

Multiple surgeries, include of inserting a shunt or a tube from the brain space to drain the excess fluid.

Follow ups to the specialist neurosurgeon and after care for the infant

Cost of the treatment:

Varies depending on severity of the current condition and complications, if any

MRIs and CT Scans will be billed separately

Follow ups and care of the infant; need to maintain clean environment, almost sterile condition to prevent infections.

Estimated cost of surgery is 16,000 onwards, not inclusive of additional care.

Case note of Noor Riqqa Casilda:

Currently under supervision of the Cleft and Craniology Surgery Department Doctors.

Needed MRI Brain,

Ultrasound Hip and Spine.

More tests will follow as to determine the possible treatments and severity of her condition.