Nguyen Thi Thien is standing by her son helplessly as she watches him suffer from Hydrocephalus disease (high levels of fluid around the brain).

Nguyen Van Duy, was born in 2008, at Hamlet No15, Dien Yen Commune, Dien Chau District, Nghe An Province.
Duy’s swollen head weighs 8kg and is disproportionately larger than his fragile, young body. He is unable to move his legs and his body appears to have become shrunken. He is suffering from constant pain and cries out regularly.

Duy’s mother has to rest his head against her knees in order to breastfeed

“My son’s head was normal when he was born. He was very cute. But suddenly, at around 2 months of age, his head began growing very quickly. He suffers from severe pain, especially when the weather changes,” said Duy’s mother, “My relatives and neighbours insisted that we take him to see a doctor but unfortunately, we did not have any money. We sold everything we had and still, it was not enough money for his treatment. We know he needs treatment but without money, nobody can help us and he is left in this painful condition. We are only poor farmers, we are are desperate!"

Extensive swelling of the head has shrunken Duy's body and left him immobile

Duy’s parents could not stand seeing their son in such agony. They tried their best to work hard and save money for his treatment.

At the end of 2009, they decided to take Duy to the National Hospital of Pediatrics with VND6 million ($319) in savings. After waiting a week for his turn, they spent half of the savings. Doctors diagnosed Duy with Hydrocephalus disease and have said that he needs immediate surgery to survive. The treatment expenditure will cost over VND10 million ($532).

Duy's family could not afford such hefty treatment fees and were left with no choice but to take him back home.

“On the way home, I got car sickness and my son kept crying for milk. People in the car felt so pitiful and gave us some money. They encouraged me during a desperate time,” added Duy’s mother.

Hydrocephalus is a medical condition where fluid fills the area around the brain. People with hydrocephalus have an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsions, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death.

For information on how to contribute, please see below: