Challenges in nursing: infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Despite advances in the care of infants born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, mortality rate continues to be high. Immediate survival is directly related to the degree of pulmonary hypoplasia present. The spectrum is wide, from minimal pulmonary hypoplasia, in which neonates do well, to severe pulmonary hypoplasia, which is incompatible with life. Between these two extremes lie infants with compromised pulmonary function whose long-term survival depends on the clinical strengths of their multidisciplinary team. Over the past year, 23 infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were cared for in the Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital, Boston. A retrospective chart review enabled the authors to describe the trajectory of illness and generate nursing practice guidelines. This article presents the nursing care issues that were identified in this challenging population.