A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect in which there is an abnormal opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that helps you breathe. The opening allows part of the organs from the belly (stomach, spleen, liver, and intestines) to go up into the chest cavity near the lungs.
Alternative NamesHernia - diaphragmatic; Congenital hernia of the diaphragm
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA diaphragmatic hernia is caused by the improper joining of structures during fetal development. As a result, the abdominal organs such as the stomach, small intestine, spleen, part of the liver, and the kidney appear in the chest cavity. The lung tissue on the affected side is thus not allowed to completely develop.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is seen in 1 out of every 2,200 to 5,000 live births. Most affect the left side. Having a parent or sibling with the condition slightly increases your risk.
SymptomsSevere breathing difficulty usually develops shortly after the baby is born, because of ineffective movement of the diaphragm and crowding of the lung tissue, which causes collapse. The reason why this occurs is not known.
Other symptoms include:
The pregnant mother may have excessive amounts of amniotic fluid. Fetal ultrasound may show abdominal contents in the chest cavity.
Examination of the infant shows:
A chest x-raymay show abdominal organs in chest cavity.
TreatmentA diaphragmatic hernia is an emergency that requires surgery. Surgery is done to place the abdominal organs into the proper position and repair the opening in the diaphragm.
See: Diaphragmatic hernia repair - congenital
The infant will need breathing support until he or she recovers from surgery. Some infants are placed on a heart/lung bypass machine, which gives the lungs a chance to recover and expand after surgery.
If a diaphragmatic hernia is diagnosed during pregnancy (around 24 to 28 weeks), fetal surgery may be considered.
Expectations (prognosis)Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a very serious disorder. The outcome of surgery depends on how well your baby's lungs have developed. Usually the outlook is very good for infants who have enough lung tissue.
With advances in neonatal and surgical care, survival is now greater than 80%.
ComplicationsGo to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911). A diaphragmatic hernia is a surgical emergency.
PreventionThere is no known prevention.
ReferencesEhrlich PF, Coran AG. Diaphragmatic hernia. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 101.
A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect in which there is an abnormal opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that helps you breathe. The opening allows part of the organs from the belly (stomach, spleen, liver, and intestines) to go up into the chest cavity near the lungs.
Alternative NamesHernia - diaphragmatic; Congenital hernia of the diaphragm
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA diaphragmatic hernia is caused by the improper joining of structures during fetal development. As a result, the abdominal organs such as the stomach, small intestine, spleen, part of the liver, and the kidney appear in the chest cavity. The lung tissue on the affected side is thus not allowed to completely develop.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is seen in 1 out of every 2,200 to 5,000 live births. Most affect the left side. Having a parent or sibling with the condition slightly increases your risk.
SymptomsSevere breathing difficulty almost always develops shortly after the baby is born, because of ineffective movement of the diaphragm and crowding of the lung tissue, which causes collapse.
Other symptoms include:
The pregnant mother may have excessive amounts of amniotic fluid. Fetal ultrasound may show abdominal contents in the chest cavity.
Examination of the infant shows:
A chest x-raymay show abdominal organs in chest cavity.
TreatmentA diaphragmatic hernia is an emergency that requires surgery. Surgery is done to place the abdominal organs into the proper position and repair the opening in the diaphragm.
See: Diaphragmatic hernia repair - congenital
The infant will need breathing support until he or she recovers from surgery. Some infants are placed on a heart/lung bypass machine, which gives the lungs a chance to recover and expand after surgery.
If a diaphragmatic hernia is diagnosed during pregnancy (around 24 to 28 weeks), fetal surgery may be considered.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome of surgery depends on how well the baby's lungs have developed and also on whether there are any other congenital problems. Usually the outlook is very good for infants who have enough lung tissue and have no other problems.
With advances in neonatal and surgical care, survival is now greater than 80%.
ComplicationsGo to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911). A diaphragmatic hernia is a surgical emergency.
PreventionThere is no known prevention.
ReferencesEhrlich PF, Coran AG. Diaphragmatic hernia. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 101.
Keijzer R, Puri P. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Semin Pediatr Surg 2010 Aug; 19(3): 180-5.
Puri P, Nakazawa N. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In: Puri P, Hollworth M, eds. Pediatric surgery: diagnosis and management. Springer, 2009: chapter 31.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/18/2011
Kimberly G Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
thoraoabdominal hernia
"hiatal hernia" and "hiatus hernia"
A hiatal hernia can also be called a diaphragmatic hernia.
The diaphragmatic margin refers to the elevations between the diaphragm and the thoracic opening. This is commonly affected by diaphragmatic hernia in children.Ê
no
heart
It is called a Diaphragmatic Hernia or a Hiatus Hernia.
39599
A diaphragmatic hernia is a condition in which an organ or part of the abdomen protrudes through an opening in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This can lead to respiratory problems and other complications due to compression of the lungs and surrounding structures. Surgery is often required to repair the hernia and prevent further complications.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
The liver on the RHS prevents the riding up of gastrointestinal contents.
The lack of a diaphragm is called a diaphragmatic hernia. It is life-threatening. At birth there is less than 1% chance of living.