THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY DePASQUALE, CALTAGIRONE, OLIVER, BISHOP, DONATUCCI, GEORGE, CUTLER, MUSTIO, MIRABITO, M. O'BRIEN, ROSS, BAKER, KIRKLAND, SANTONI, GINGRICH, MANN, KORTZ, ROCK, KILLION, READSHAW, FLECK, LONGIETTI, SCAVELLO, GRUCELA, VULAKOVICH, MANDERINO, STERN, FRANKEL, BRADFORD, CONKLIN, KOTIK, GOODMAN, TRUE, BROOKS, SWANGER, REICHLEY, HELM, GRELL, MILLARD, M. SMITH, MICOZZIE, SCHRODER, McILVAINE SMITH, TALLMAN, COHEN, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, MARSICO, BRIGGS, MILNE, GILLESPIE, MAHONEY, DiGIROLAMO, O'NEILL, PYLE, HARHART AND DALEY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 17, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of November 2010 as "Hydrocephalus

Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Hydrocephalus is a serious neurological condition,

characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in

the ventricles of the brain; and

WHEREAS, There is no known cure for hydrocephalus, which

affects an estimated 1 million Americans; and

WHEREAS, Hydrocephalus is one of the most common birth

defects - each year 1.5 out of every 1,000 births result in

hydrocephalus; and

WHEREAS, Another 6,000 children annually develop

hydrocephalus during the first two years of life; and

WHEREAS, More than 375,000 older Americans have

hydrocephalus, which is often undetected or misdiagnosed as

dementia, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease; and

WHEREAS, With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, people who

have hydrocephalus are able to live full and productive lives;

and

WHEREAS, The standard treatment for hydrocephalus was

developed in 1952 and carries multiple risks, including shunt

failure, infection and overdrainage; and

WHEREAS, Further research into the epidemiology,

pathophysiology, disease burden and improved treatment of

hydrocephalus is needed; and

WHEREAS, There are fewer than ten centers in the United

States specializing in the treatment of adults with normal

pressure hydrocephalus; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the people of the United States spend in

excess of $1 billion to treat hydrocephalus; and

WHEREAS, September 2010 is recognized nationally as

"Hydrocephalus Awareness Month"; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of residents of this Commonwealth suffer

from the effects of hydrocephalus and are required to obtain

specialized treatment to alleviate the symptoms of this

condition; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to several renowned

medical institutions and other organizations working to increase

public awareness and develop new treatments that will improve

the lives of those who are afflicted with this condition;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of November 2010 as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in

Pennsylvania and call upon all residents of this Commonwealth to

observe these days by participating in appropriate activities to

raise awareness about hydrocephalus.