title: Hydrocephalus in children less than 1 year of age in northern Mozambique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In developed countries, the incidence of neonatal hydrocephalus ranges from 3 to 5 cases per 1000 live births, but little is known about the frequency of hydrocephalus in Africa. In Mozambique, there is no primary information related to this disorder, but using the above data, the expected incidence of neonatal hydrocephalus would range from 2900 to 4800 cases per year.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is based on 122 children younger than 1 year with neonatal hydrocephalus, followed up between January 2010 and December 2012, their origin and treatment, and aims to evaluate difficulties with diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up in northern Mozambique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Identified cases were mainly less than 6 months old (77%), with severe macrocephaly and the classic stigmata of this condition. A high rate of follow-up loss (44.3%) was detected, particularly among children from more distant locations. Our findings contrast with the expected 1000-1700 cases that would occur in the area during the study period, being considerably lower.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydrocephalus is a serious problem in sub-Saharan Africa, whose effects can be minimized by a better organization of the health system in hydrocephalus prevention, referral, and follow-up. New management alternatives to provide treatment to more children with this disorder and reduction of the follow-up difficulties caused due to geographical reasons for the children undergoing treatment are essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lúrio, Nampula, Mozambique ; Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Hospitalar São João, Oporto, Portugal ; Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Oporto, Portugal ; Neurosciences Unit of CUF Porto Hospital, Oporto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sérgio F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lúrio, Nampula, Mozambique ; Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Nampula, Nampula, Mozambique.
authors.forename: João Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Henriques
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lúrio, Nampula, Mozambique.
authors.forename: Missael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Munguambe
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Hospitalar São João, Oporto, Portugal ; Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Oporto, Portugal ; Neurosciences Unit of CUF Porto Hospital, Oporto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui M C
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Oporto, Portugal ; Institute of Public Health University of Porto, Oporto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Henrique P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Barros
keywords: Hydrocephalus; infant; mozambique; nampula; pediatric