Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: clinical cases among post-neonatal age infants

Abstract

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a defect of diaphragm development which in the majority of cases is associated with penetration of the abdominal organs into the chest. Purpose is to draw attention of pediatricians, general practitioners and family doctors, pediatric surgeons to the issue of timely diagnostics of congenital diaphragmatic hernia since its clinical signs are manifested in patients of a post-neonatal age. Clinical cases. The first review demonstrates a clinical case of a right false congenital diaphragmatic hernia of 6-month child with acute onset of the disease manifested by combination of respiratory disorders and pathological intestinal symptoms, visualization of intestinal loops in the right side of the chest. The second clinical case describes left false congenital diaphragmatic hernia of a 10-month child with subacute onset of the disease, prevailing pathological respiratory symptoms and visualization of the stomach in the left side of the chest. Due to timely diagnostic examination and surgery performed both patients were discharged home in a satisfactory condition. Conclusions. In spite of more favourable course of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children older than 1 month of age, its development can be of a fulminant character and associated with danger for life. It stipulates the necessity to carry out an appropriate differential-diagnostic complex for all the infants with acute or chronic respiratory disorders and pathological intestinal symptoms including a competent interpretation of the results obtained after plan and contrast radiography of the thoracic and abdominal organs. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Infancy.