About Us
Our Mission
NeuroKids makes it possible for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida to live longer and better lives through innovative treatments, comprehensive training programs, and unwavering support.
Why Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus and spina bifida are the two most common neurosurgical conditions in children worldwide. Untreated, both are potentially fatal and survivors are profoundly disabled for life. It is estimated that more than half a million new infants develop hydrocephalus every year and another 300,000 are born with spina bifida.
Both are vastly more common in the Global South, where there are too few doctors trained to treat these conditions. Left untreated, many babies with hydrocephalus won’t survive past their second birthday. These children and their mothers often face rejection and abandonment by their families and communities.
NeuroKids wants to change that.
How We Work
We focus on places with the greatest need. In partnership with local hospitals and surgeons, we provide the training and equipment necessary for the optimal treatment of hydrocephalus and spina bifida.
By leveraging remote presence technology, we are able to continue mentoring surgeons in real-time as they progress in their surgical and decision-making skills at a scale previously unimaginable, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional training programs.
As flexible as our endoscopes, we customize our partnership models to fit the context of each local setting, innovating creative strategies that tackle the challenges at each location.
And perhaps most importantly, our impact is sustainable. By fostering local collaborations, our partners take ownership of their work, thereby creating a lasting legacy of expertise and compassion that extends far beyond our initial engagement.
Our Story
In 2000, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Warf encountered a high incidence of hydrocephalus while working at a hospital in eastern Uganda. Because the insertion of a shunt—the traditional treatment for hydrocephalus—is both prohibitively expensive and requires sustained medical monitoring, which is beyond the reach of most families in the Global South, Dr. Warf pioneered an alternative, low-cost treatment.
Our Team
Our team is dedicated to improving children’s lives and bringing hope to their families. NeuroKids has the technical expertise, proven success, and demonstrated commitment to make a difference.
Donate
Donate now and join us in our mission to make it possible for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida to live longer and better lives. Together, we can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.
