Question 1

when are congenital diaphragmatic hernias typically detected?

Accepted Answer

Early Infancy: Most are detected in very early infancy or prenatally. The use of routine prenatal ultrasound has dramatically increased the likelihood of detecting most congenital diaphragmatic hernias prenatally. If not detected prenatally, most hernias are symptomatic and create the need for imaging which detects the problem very early in life. Rarely, small hernias can persist undetected into adulthood.

Question 2

why is the mortality so high for babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernias?

Accepted Answer

Poor Lungs: The main reason is that the absence of diaphragm (i.e. Diaphragmatic hernia) allows intestine to enter the chest and occupy the space into which lung would normally develop.  This results in underdeveloped lung(s) which are often abnormal in other ways as well. Small abnormal lungs cause myriad severe problems after birth and contribute to almost all of the observed mortality in cdh patients.

Question 3

how common is congenital hiatal hernia?

Accepted Answer

Fairly: These things are more common than you would think; but easily treatable.

Question 4

what happens if we leave a congenital diaphragm hernia alone, will it resolve on its own?

Accepted Answer

No: Congenital diaphragmatic hernias do not resolve spontaneously. However, if very small they may not be detected for many years.

Question 5

what is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

Accepted Answer

Hole: A congenital diaphragmatic hernia (cdh) is a hole in the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. This allows intestines to get into the chest affecting the development and function of the lungs. Some infants with cdh have severe respiratory issues.

Question 6

are there any treatments for congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: Surgery is required to fix a congenital diaphragmatic hernia.   They are usually always repaired with discovered in babies.  Sometimes we find one in an adult when looking for something else.  Surgery for the hernia is then considered based on location and symptoms.

Question 7

are there any non-surgical treatments available for congenital diaphragmatic hernias?

Accepted Answer

No: These type of hernias can be very serious. They are surgical problems. Anyone who suggests otherwise is wrong. There is an old saying which goes "the treatment of a surgical disease is surgery". This applies here.

Question 8

how does ecmo help with congenital diaphragmatic hernias?

Accepted Answer

Rest: Ecmo allows the lungs to heal and grow as they expand once the diaphragmatic hernia is repaired.

Question 9

please explain if it is possible for a baby to die from congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If the infant went through a complete pregnancy before the herniation, initial stabilization ; repair can have a great outcome (normal lung development ; few lung problems after infancy) . If herniation occurred during pregnancy, outcome depends on how bad it impaired lung development.Early recognition at birth with placement of a stomach tube ; breathing tube may give baby a chance.

Question 10

i was told i have congenital  bochdalek hernias. what is the likelihood of having surgery?

Accepted Answer

Probably minor: If you have lived with this to the listed age of 60 yr without complications I doubt if any surgery is eminent or even necessary, ever. When these are a problem it is usually in early infancy when the intestines displace lung tissue abruptly. Your hernia (s) are likely small &amp; just a finding on an x-ray. Bring the issue up with the doc who treats you.

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Doctor answers about:

Congenital double hernia

A member asked:

When are congenital diaphragmatic hernias typically detected?

A member asked:

Why is the mortality so high for babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernias?

A member asked:

How common is congenital hiatal hernia?

A member asked:

What happens if we leave a congenital diaphragm hernia alone, will it resolve on its own?

A member asked:

What is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

A member asked:

Are there any treatments for congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

A member asked:

Are there any non-surgical treatments available for congenital diaphragmatic hernias?

A member asked:

How does ecmo help with congenital diaphragmatic hernias?

A member asked:

Please explain if it is possible for a baby to die from congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

A member asked:

I was told i have congenital bochdalek hernias. what is the likelihood of having surgery?

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