death. (10) Hydrocephalus is an extremely painful condition that most commonly occurs in infants and young children as a result of a congenital abnormality (anatomic abnormality, aqueductal stenosis, spina bifida or encephalocele), or post-infectious hydrocephalus (PIH) caused by infections acquired after birth, such as meningitis, that attack the brain. (11) In developed countries, up to one of every 1,000 newborns develop hydrocephalus, while up to five of every 1,000 newborns in developing countries develop the condition. It is conservatively estimated that more than 300,000 children are born with or acquire hydrocephalus in the developing world each year. Experts posit that hydrocephalus is more common in developing countries because of higher birth rates, as well as high rates of nutritional deficiencies, low infant birth weight, and perinatal and neonatal infections. (12) Children with hydrocephalus who are not effectively treated or who are not treated in the early stages of the condition suffer from cognitive deficiencies or physical disabilities or both. (13) Families of children who have hydrocephalus in developing countries rarely know that it is a treatable condition, where to go for treatment, or how to care for a child suffering from the condition. In addition, access to care is limited in many developing countries due to low numbers of practicing neurosurgeons. In 2007, for example, Africa had 565 neurosurgeons, roughly 86 percent of whom were practicing in South Africa and Northern Africa. (14) Many children with hydrocephalus in developing countries are abandoned, ostracized, or abused due to their appearance, physical and mental disabilities, and inadequate options for care. (15) Hydrocephalus can be treated, and advances in innovative medical procedures such as ETV/CPC have the potential to save thousands of lives annually and prevent or mitigate physical and mental disabilities in thousands of children in developing countries. (16) A number of international studies show that between 3.5 to 15