Reshmi Marak
India- Biography of Reshma Marak
- The Struggles of Reshma's Parents
- Reshma's Determination and Challenges
- Fear of Future Siblings
- Comparison to Roona Begum
- Long-term Effects and Treatment Options
Biography of Reshma Marak
Reshma Marak, an Indian girl from a small village in Tripura, India, is in urgent need of medical assistance due to her hydrocephalus condition. Hydrocephalus poses a serious threat to Reshma, as it can cause brain damage, vision impairment, difficulty in movement, learning difficulties, and even death. Despite her condition, Reshma, whose head circumference is currently 68 cm, remarkably maintains the ability to carry on conversations and maintain balance.
The Struggles of Reshma's Parents
Reshma's parents, 25-year-old Maria and 35-year-old Amrit, are devastated by their inability to help their child. Amrit works as a daily wage laborer, earning no more than 4000 rupees ($60) per month. With such limited income, the family cannot afford the expenses of travel and medical bills. It is believed that Reshma was born without any visible abnormalities. However, her family soon noticed the abnormal growth of her head. Maria stated, "When she was only a month old, we discovered her head was increasing in size. Her head was extremely soft to touch. We realized something was wrong with our daughter. We were so scared. Our hearts were breaking as we didn't know how to deal with this." Amrit added, "There is income in the family only when there is work. No work, no money. In such circumstances, I cannot afford to send my daughter to the hospital and provide her with treatment." His wife echoed his concerns, saying, "We have no choice but to keep our daughter at home. We are terribly poor and don't know what to do with our daughter's illness. I just try to take care of Reshma as much as possible. There is nothing else I can do. All I can do is pray to God for help."
Reshma's Determination and Challenges
Reshma's mother always stays close to her daughter, in case she starts to fall. The little girl tries her best to maintain balance but sometimes struggles under the weight. Despite her challenges, Reshma remains extremely optimistic and imitates the habits of her older sister, Jenebi, who does not have any serious health problems. Maria firmly believes, "God has given us this trial. It is my destiny, and I can't do anything about it. I have to accept it because it is God's plan." She often discusses Reshma's future with her husband, but they have no answers. Amrit, as a father, feels helpless and can only remain silent. They feel that Reshma has no hope.
Fear of Future Siblings
Previously desiring a larger family, Reshma's parents now fear that their future children may face the same health problems as their youngest daughter. Maria expressed her concerns, "Undoubtedly, we would like to have another child, but we are afraid of what might happen. What if they also have the same condition? It would crush us. We will simply lose hope."
Comparison to Roona Begum
Reshma's story came to light four months after the death of Roona Begum, also from Tripura. Roona suffered from the most severe form of hydrocephalus and underwent multiple surgeries, which allowed her to hold up her own head for the first time. However, on June 18, 2017, Roona passed away. Dr. Anil Kumar, the head of the neurosurgery department at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi, Jharkhand, explained that Reshma's case resembles a partially developed form of hydrocephalus. He mentioned the need for a proper diagnosis through MRI and CT scans. While Reshma can speak and maintain balance, her condition could improve with treatment. However, without a diagnosis and treatment, there is a higher risk of developing intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, and more.
Long-term Effects and Treatment Options
Hydrocephalus can lead to long-term complications such as learning disabilities, speech disorders, memory problems, attention deficits, visual impairments (including strabismus and reduced visual acuity), coordination difficulties, and epilepsy. Congenital hydrocephalus, present at birth, may result from a brain defect that restricts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Hydrocephalus in adults and children is often caused by illness or injury affecting the brain. In addition to shunt surgery, an alternative treatment option called endoscopic third ventriculostomy may be used. This modern minimally invasive method helps avoid the infectious complications associated with shunting procedures.
