CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia)
"Congenital" means "born with." The
diaphragm is the breathing muscle that
separates the chest cavity and the
abdominal cavity. The diaphragm develops
when the fetus is about two months old.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is
the absence of the diaphragm, or a hole in
the diaphragm. This can occur on either
the left or right side, but is most common
on the left.
The contents of the abdomen, including the
stomach, intestines, liver and spleen, may
go through the hole and into the chest. The
contents prevent the normal development
of the lung (pulmonary hypoplasia) on that
side, and may affect the growth of the
other lung. After birth the infant will have
difficulty breathing if the lungs are not
developed enough.
diaphragm is the breathing muscle that
separates the chest cavity and the
abdominal cavity. The diaphragm develops
when the fetus is about two months old.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is
the absence of the diaphragm, or a hole in
the diaphragm. This can occur on either
the left or right side, but is most common
on the left.
The contents of the abdomen, including the
stomach, intestines, liver and spleen, may
go through the hole and into the chest. The
contents prevent the normal development
of the lung (pulmonary hypoplasia) on that
side, and may affect the growth of the
other lung. After birth the infant will have
difficulty breathing if the lungs are not
developed enough.
What causes a diaphragmatic hernia?
As a fetus grows in its mother's uterus before birth, different organ systems are developing
and maturing. The diaphragm forms between the 7th and 10th week of pregnancy. The
esophagus (the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach), the stomach, and the
intestines are also developing at this time.
In a Bochdalek hernia, the diaphragm may not develop properly, or the intestine may
become trapped in the chest cavity as the diaphragm is forming. At times, the tendon that
should develop in the middle of the diaphragm does not develop properly. In both cases,
normal development of the diaphragm and the digestive tract does not occur.
Diaphragmatic hernia is a multifactorial condition, which means that "many factors," both
genetic and environmental, are involved. It is thought that multiple genes from both parents,
as well as a number of environmental factors that scientists do not yet fully understand,
contribute to diaphragmatic hernia.
As a fetus grows in its mother's uterus before birth, different organ systems are developing
and maturing. The diaphragm forms between the 7th and 10th week of pregnancy. The
esophagus (the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach), the stomach, and the
intestines are also developing at this time.
In a Bochdalek hernia, the diaphragm may not develop properly, or the intestine may
become trapped in the chest cavity as the diaphragm is forming. At times, the tendon that
should develop in the middle of the diaphragm does not develop properly. In both cases,
normal development of the diaphragm and the digestive tract does not occur.
Diaphragmatic hernia is a multifactorial condition, which means that "many factors," both
genetic and environmental, are involved. It is thought that multiple genes from both parents,
as well as a number of environmental factors that scientists do not yet fully understand,
contribute to diaphragmatic hernia.
CDH is when the diaphragm does not completely
close in the unborn baby and causes the organs to
migrate into the chest cavity.
close in the unborn baby and causes the organs to
migrate into the chest cavity.
CDH Awareness
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