What is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)?
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when a baby is born with an opening in the muscle wall (diaphragm) separating the chest from the abdomen. This defect in the diaphragm develops early in pregnancy; however, the cause of CDH is not fully understood. Research shows that some cases are related to genetic mutations.
With congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), organs in your baby’s belly can get pushed up into their chest, affecting their lung development. Organs such as the intestines, stomach and liver can push through the opening into the chest cavity, crowding the lungs during development. Without enough space for the lungs to grow properly, babies can have difficulty breathing independently after birth. Early intervention is crucial to allow babies lungs to fully develop before birth.
At our Center for Fetal Care, our fetal surgeons offer minimally invasive procedures to treat CDH while your baby is in the womb, allowing their lungs develop properly before birth. Our neonatal and pediatric surgical teams have specialized expertise in providing care for babies with CDH at delivery and after birth.
What are the signs of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia?
The signs of CDH often show up on routine ultrasounds for prenatal care. These signs include:
How is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) diagnosed?
High resolution imaging is the gold standard for diagnosing CDH before birth. Scans show lung size and organ compression. This information helps Dr. Mehra and his team determine the next steps. Recommended imaging may include:
How is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia managed?
Treatment recommendations are primarily based on your baby’s lung development. To optimize your baby’s lung function and development after delivery, our fetal surgeons may recommend minimally invasive fetal surgery.
Before birth, your baby’s lungs produce fluid that exits through the mouth. Blocking this flow keeps the fluid inside the lungs, helping them expand and grow so they can eventually provide enough oxygen to the baby after birth.
Dr. Mehra accomplishes this goal with a procedure called fetoscopic endotracheal occlusion (FETO). In this procedure, a thin scope (flexible tube with a camera and light) is inserterd through a small incision in the mother’s belly. Using ultrasound image guidance, a tiny balloon is placed your baby’s windpipe, temporarily blocking the fluid’s escape.
Surgeons remove the balloon several weeks before delivery, when your baby’s lungs have developed more.
After surgery, our pediatric specialists provide ongoing care to manage any persistent pulmonary concerns. Dr. Mehra and his team will also help you partner with appropriate pediatricians who are highly skilled in caring for little ones with CDH.
If your baby is diagnosed with CDH, contact Dr. Mehra to learn more about how he and his team can help manage and treat this condition.
