This group was created for mothers of children with diaphragmatic hernias. You can share stories, ask questions or just find comfort in knowing that there are others out there who have gone through what you have gone through.

What is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia? Simply put, it is a... MORE

This group was created for mothers of children with diaphragmatic hernias. You can share stories, ask questions or just find comfort in knowing that there are others out there who have gone through what you have gone through.

What is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia? Simply put, it is a hole in the diaphragm. At some point early in fetal development, the diaphragm does not completely form. It is believed that this occurs between 4 and 10 weeks gestation. The malformation can be large or small. There is no definitive answer on why this happens. CDH occurs in approximately one out of every 2500-5000 births. At the same time the diaphragm is forming, other vital organs are also developing. Because of the hole in the diaphragm, abdominal organs often migrate into the chest cavity and lung development is impaired. Depending on the severity of the defect, lung development can be severely limited.

With modern technology, many cases of CDH can be diagnosed at a routine ultrasound around the 20th week of pregnancy. The more severe the defect and the better the individual performing the ultrasound, the earlier the diagnosis can be made. However, there are cases not diagnosed until birth or even later in life.