Hydrocephalus Program

About Boston Children's Hydrocephalus Program

Boston Children's Hospital's Hydrocephalus Program treats children with every form of hydrocephalus—the all-encompassing term used to describe any increase in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid within, or surrounding, the brain.

Regardless of the particular circumstances of a child's hydrocephalus, safely and quickly diverting the excess fluid is essential.

Here in our Pediatric Hydrocephalus Program, our Specialists:

• use a variety of sophisticated diagnostic procedures—including ultrasounds, Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and intracranial pressure monitoring—to make and confirm a diagnosis of hydrocephalus
• refer families of infants diagnosed with hydrocephalus in the womb to our Advanced Fetal Care Center for further evaluation and treatment recommendations
• work closely with other experts across Boston Children's—including genetic counselors,  imaging specialists and social workers—to meet all of your child's needs, including treatment for other related conditions like spinal cord tumors
• have many years experience performing shunt placements and endoscopic third ventriculostomy procedures for safe, effective fluid drainage and diversion

Our Hydrocephalus Program clinicians are also engaged in important scientific research with great promise for better understanding, treatment and—one day—prevention of hydrocephalus and other neurological disorders. Some of our current research projects include:

• analyzing crucial periods in a child's brain development
• understanding the biological mechanisms of brain injury
• examining the role of molecular genetics in conditions like hydrocephalus

Warf receives grant from John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Boston Children’s neurosurgeon Benjamin Warf, MD, has been named a 2012 MacArthur fellow, receiving a five-year, $500,000, “genius” award from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Read more about Dr. Warf and his recent research on pediatric hydrocephalus—as well as the one-time, minimally invasive operation he developed in Africa and is sharing with colleagues at Boston Children’s and around the world.

Hydrocephalus: Tackling a global health problem

Benjamin Warf, MD, testified before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights (viewable on C-SPAN; jump to 17:54). John Mugamba, MD, whom Warf trained and who is currently medical director at CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda, gave testimony in video form. Read more here.

Building neurosurgical care in the heart of Africa: One doctor's story 

In 2000, Benjamin Warf sold his house and a small farm in Kentucky and left his position as Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the University of Kentucky.

After giving away most of their possessions, Warf, his six children, and his wife boarded a plane for Uganda, believing they were leaving the United States for good. Read more here.