Neonate with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia- Case Report

Introduction: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a defect in the diaphragm that allows the passage of abdominal viscera into the chest cavity. This results to respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension. It occurs in approximately 1/2000 to 1/5000 live births and it is more common in females, on the posterolateral left side of diaphragm. 30% of the patients have associated congenital malformations.

Aims: Presentation of a rare congenital malformation.

Material: Neonate with respiratory distress after birth.

Methods: Diagnosis based on clinical examination and chest X-Ray.

Results: Full-term male neonate of Roma origin, without any prenatal screening, presents with respiratory distress in the 1^st min of life and bradycardia(HR<100/min). During our clinical examination diminished breath sounds were observed on the left side of the neonate`s thorax with displacement of the hearth sounds to the opposite side. The diagnosis was confirmed with chest radiography. The newborn was intubated after 15min of resuscitation and although he was immediately transported to a neonatal unit, he passed away after a few hours.

Conclusions: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare congenital malformation and the mortality rate is about 50%. High suspicion must rise in every case where a neonate’s respiratory distress deteriorates despite well performed resuscitation. For the treatment it is necessary to avoid ventilation with self-inflating bag and to proceed to early intubation, with PIP