What is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) ?

To understand CDH, think of the body as having two separate "rooms."

• The Chest (Upstairs): This room holds the heart and the lungs.
• The Abdomen (Downstairs): This room holds the stomach, liver, and intestines.

The "floor" that separates these two rooms is a large, flat muscle called the diaphragm. This muscle is very important because it helps us breathe.

• The Problem: In a baby with CDH, the diaphragm does not close all the way, leaving a hole.
• The Result: Because there is a hole, the organs from "downstairs" (like the stomach or intestines) can float up into the "upstairs" area. This takes up the space where the lungs should be, making it hard for the lungs to grow to a normal size.

What are the different types of CDH?

There are two main types of this condition:

• Bochdalek Hernia: This is the most common type (90% of cases). The hole is located in the back or the side of the diaphragm, usually on the left side.
• Morgagni Hernia: This type is very rare. The hole is in the front of the diaphragm. It is often less serious and might not even be found until the child is older.

How does CDH affect the baby’s lungs?

The hole itself is not the biggest worry; the main concern is how it affects the lungs.

• Small Lungs (Pulmonary Hypoplasia): Because the stomach or liver is taking up space in the chest, the lungs stay small and do not develop fully.
• High Pressure (Pulmonary Hypertension): The blood vessels in the lungs may be too tight. This makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood into the lungs to get oxygen.

Why does it happen?

In most cases, we do not know the cause. It is a physical event that happens very early in pregnancy (around week 9 or 10). It is almost never caused by anything the parents did. In a small number of cases (10-15%), it might be related to genetics.

How is it found?

• Before Birth: Most doctors find it during a routine 20-week ultrasound. They measure the space the lungs have compared to the baby’s head size.
• After Birth: If it wasn't found during pregnancy, a doctor might notice the baby is struggling to breathe or has a "sunken" belly. An X-ray is used to confirm the diagnosis.

How do doctors treat CDH?

Treatment happens in two main steps. Doctors focus on helping the baby breathe before they fix the hole.

Step 1: Making the baby stable

As soon as the baby is born, the doctor will put them on a ventilator (a machine that breathes for them). If the baby needs even more help, they might use ECMO. This is a special machine that acts like a heart and lung so the baby's own lungs can rest and heal.

Step 2: The Repair Surgery

Surgery is usually not done on the very first day. The doctor will wait until the baby’s heart and lungs are stable, which might take days or even weeks.

1. The surgeon moves the organs back down into the belly where they belong.
2. The surgeon sews the hole in the diaphragm shut.
3. If the hole is too big to sew, the doctor uses a "patch" made of medical fabric to close the gap.

What is the long-term outlook?

Many children with CDH grow up to be healthy and active. However, because they started life with smaller lungs, they may need some extra help:

• Eating: Some babies have trouble eating or have "reflux" (spitting up). They might need a feeding tube for a while to help them get enough nutrition to grow.
• Lung Care: They might get sick more easily with colds or asthma. A lung doctor (pulmonologist) will check on them regularly.
• Growing Up: Because these babies spend a lot of time in the hospital, they might need physical or speech therapy to help them learn to crawl, walk, or talk at the right time.

Important Fact: CDH happens in about 1 in every 2,500 babies. It is just as common as other conditions like Spina Bifida, even though many people haven't heard of it.

What questions should I ask to doctor?

• How large is the hole in the diaphragm?
• Will my baby need to be on an ECMO machine?
• How long do you expect the baby to stay in the hospital after surgery?
• What kind of special therapy will my child need as they grow?

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced pediatric surgeons and neonatal specialists who provide accurate diagnosis with advanced imaging, personalized medical care, and specialized surgical treatment tailored to each infant's specific condition. Our Pediatric Surgery team has decades of experience in successfully treating Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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