Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is characterized by an opening in the diaphragm, present at birth, that allows organs in the abdominal region to move to the chest.
This occurs because, during the formation of the fetus, the diaphragm does not develop properly, allowing the organs located in the abdominal region to move towards the chest, which can put pressure on the lungs, thus preventing their development.
- This disease should be corrected as soon as possible and treatment involves surgery to correct the diaphragm and reposition the organs.
Symptoms that may occur in people with congenital diaphragmatic hernia depend on the size of the hernia, as well as the organ that has migrated to the chest area. Therefore, the most common symptoms are:
In addition, some people may notice that the belly is narrower than normal, which is because the abdominal area may be retracted by the absence of certain organs located in the chest area and may even contain the intestines.
It is not yet known what causes congenital diaphragmatic hernia, but it is already known to be linked to genetic mutations and it is observed that very thin or underweight mothers may have an increased risk of childhood gestation with this type of change.
Diagnosis can be made even before birth, in the mother’s uterus, during an ultrasound. If not detected during prenatal exams, it is usually diagnosed at birth due to symptoms, such as shortness of breath, abnormal chest movements, bluish skin color, among other signs and symptoms characteristic of the disease.
After the physical exam, in the presence of these symptoms, your doctor may suggest imaging tests such as x-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, or CT scans to observe the position of your organs. In addition, you may also request an oxygen measurement in your blood to evaluate the functioning of your lungs.
Treatment consists, first, of performing intensive care for the baby, then performing a surgical procedure, in which the opening of the diaphragm is corrected and the organs are placed back into the abdomen, in order to free up space in the chest. so that the lungs can expand properly.