[Clinical characteristics of Bochdalek hernia in neonates and infants]

To summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of Bochdalek hernia in neonates and infants.

The data of 15 neonates and 10 infants with Bochdalek hernia,undergoing the normal diagnosis and surgical repair from August 1983 to June 2004, were retrospectively reviewed. Location was left in 22 cases and right in 3 cases. Twenty-four cases were treated by operation and 1 case died of respiratory failure before operation.

Before April 1998, 7 of 8 (5 neonates, 3 infants) cases of Bochdalek hernia stayed healthy and respiratory symptom-free 1 year after operation; they were followed up 1 year and 3 months to 11 years. One premature neonate with Bochdalek hernia died of respiratory failure before operation, and his lung volume was found to be dysplasia. From April 1998 to June 2004, 15 (8 neonates,7 infants) of 17 (10 neonates, 7 infants)cases of Bochdalek hernia survived postoperatively, while 2 neonates died of respiratory failure.

The earlier dyspnoea of neonates of Bochdalek hernia occur, the worse their healthy status appear. The standard and timely surgical repairs could improve the curative ratio. Whether the operation was suspended depended on the healthy states of babies.