[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LLOYD DOGGETT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2020

  Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hydrocephalus 
Awareness Month. Every September patients, caregivers and their 
families come together throughout the nation in support of the more 
than 1,000,000 people of all ages living with hydrocephalus in the 
United States. As co-chair of the Congressional Pediatric and Adult 
Hydrocephalus Caucus, I believe Congress has an important role to play 
in both raising awareness of this condition, as well as crafting 
policies that result in better treatments and potentially a cure. I 
urge my colleagues to join the caucus to learn more about this 
devastating condition.
  Anyone can develop hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of 
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, at any time. This can include 
premature babies, active duty service members, veterans, and seniors. 
Individuals can also be born with hydrocephalus, develop it as part of 
the aging process, or acquire it as a result of infections, brain 
tumors or traumatic brain injuries, among other causes. The only 
present treatment for this condition is brain surgery.
  From children to veterans, the prevalence of this condition is 
reflected in my own district. The physicians and staff at the 
Children's Hospital of San Antonio perform the brain surgeries 
necessary to treat many of the one in 770 babies across the country who 
develop hydrocephalus per year. Nationwide, these cases alone cost the 
U.S. health care system $2 billion per year. Veterans and active 
military personnel, such as those stationed at Joint Base San Antonio, 
are also disproportionally affected. Medical researchers believe that 
two-thirds of our nation's current and former military service members 
suffering from moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are at risk 
of developing hydrocephalus.
  In the midst of this pandemic, it is now more important than ever to 
improve the federal government's partnership with the hydrocephalus 
community. Many individuals with hydrocephalus live with other serious 
medical comorbidities, putting them at a higher risk for severe illness 
from COVID-19. We must do all we can to help patients, health care 
professionals and families as they struggle to maintain and improve 
quality of life during these challenging times.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Hydrocephalus 
Awareness Month and the 1 million Americans living with hydrocephalus 
by joining the Congressional Pediatric and Hydrocephalus Caucus.

                          ____________________