Abstract:
Background: This study aimed to
retrospectively analyze of our experience in
congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)
patients in our department during a 3 year
period.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective
study of of all CDH infants managed in our
Neonatal and Pediatric Surgery department
between July 2009 and July 2012. Prenatal
and maternal as well as perinatal and
neonatal data were collected, including
outcome parameters.
Results: Total 36 babies were studied.
The mean birth weight of the patients was
2,300 g and the mean gestational age was
37 weeks. The mean admission time for the
patients was 72 hours. Major congenital
anomaly was present in 11%. The mortality
rate was 25%, comprising four deaths before
operation and five after operation. Prenatal
diagnosis babies, delay in diagnosis due to
late referral, earlier gestational age at birth,
lower birth weight, who required pre
operative ventilator support and major
congenital anomalies mainly cardiac
anomalies were associated with high
mortality rate.
Conclusion: Our data suggest a
higher survival rate. We speculate that
today s cases of congenital diaphragmatic
hernia are probably milder than in the past
due to earlier and more detailed prenatal
diagnosis and subsequent termination of
pregnancies for the more severe forms of the
disorder.
