Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Diaphragmatic Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation
05:51

Diaphragmatic Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: January 31, 2025

Diaphragmatic function in infants with surgically corrected anomalies

Gabriel Dimitriou1, Anne Greenough, Vasiliki Kavvadia

  • 1Department of Child Health, Guy's, King's, and St Thomas' School of Medicine, Children Nationwide Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Centre, King's College London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom.

Pediatric Research
|June 20, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) or gastroschisis show impaired diaphragmatic function after surgery. This affects their breathing capacity, highlighting the need for further research into these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Neonatology
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Congenital anomalies like abdominal wall defects (AWD) and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may lead to poor diaphragmatic function.
  • In utero low intra-abdominal pressure might impair diaphragmatic development in affected infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare postoperative diaphragmatic function in infants with CDH or AWD against gestational age-matched controls.
  • To investigate the impact of CDH and AWD on diaphragmatic contractility and lung volumes.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed diaphragmatic function via transdiaphragmatic pressure and maximal inspiratory pressure during crying.
  • Measured transdiaphragmatic pressure from phrenic nerve stimulation (TwPdi) and functional residual capacity (FRC) using helium dilution.

Main Results:

  • Infants with left-sided CDH had significantly lower left and right TwPdi and FRC compared to controls.
  • Gastroschisis infants, unlike exomphalos infants, exhibited significantly lower left and right TwPdi.
  • No significant differences were found in mouth-generated pressures between patient groups and controls.

Conclusions:

  • Postoperative diaphragmatic function is impaired in infants diagnosed with CDH or gastroschisis.
  • Specific congenital anomalies impact diaphragmatic contractility and lung volumes differently.

More Related Videos

Measuring Diaphragm Thickness and Function Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound05:51

Measuring Diaphragm Thickness and Function Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Published on: November 3, 2023

Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Model in Mice06:31

Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Model in Mice

Published on: February 5, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion01:30

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Muscles of the Thorax01:25

Muscles of the Thorax

The thorax muscles are central to the body's respiration and provide essential support and movement for the upper body. They are intricately designed to facilitate the complex breathing process while also contributing to the structural integrity and mobility of the chest and upper limbs.
The diaphragm is at the core of thoracic musculature, the primary muscle involved in breathing. This expansive, dome-shaped muscle marks the division between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It originates...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology01:10

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...
Pulmonary Ventilation: Inhalation01:24

Pulmonary Ventilation: Inhalation

Pulmonary ventilation is a vital process that ensures the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. It refers to the movement of air into and out of the lungs, enabling the body to obtain oxygen and remove waste carbon dioxide. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of pulmonary ventilation, including its underlying principles, mechanisms, and the interplay of pressures within the respiratory system.
Boyle's law becomes particularly pertinent when examining respiratory...