Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a defect of development of the pericardioperitoneal canals. In general, it occurs at 6-7 weeks of gestation. It is responsible for herniation of the abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity. Cdh is delimited anteriorly by the diaphragm, sideways by the diaphragmatic pillars and posteriorly by the costal margin. Cdh causes lung compression on the side of the diaphragmatic defect, precluding normal development of the lung (“lung hypoplasia”) [1, 2]. Cdh has an incidence of 1 case per 3,000-5,000 in live births with a male predominance. Cdh is not a hereditary disease. Cdh is on the left side in 86% of cases (Figs 19.1 and 19.2).