Does having a congenital diaphragmatic hernia predispose your child to any other diseases?

Yes: Many infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (cdh) who survive the neonatal period continue to have respiratory insufficiency (mild to moderate lung disease) for many months. This is because the lung was poorly developed at birth. Most survivors with cdh only recover without significant long-term problems, but cdh can be associated with other defects with their own long-term problems.

Yes: Frequent lung infections like pneumonia, strain on the heart (right heart failure with enlargement of liver, collection of fluid in the abdomen, swelling of legs etc), difficulty in breathing, intolerance to exercise, reactive airway disease similar to asthma etc.

Yes: Depending on the mode of repair and the size of the defect some children will develop pectus excavatum. If this is significant it can be addressed surgically when child is 12-15 years of age.