[Manifestations and prognosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia]

We conducted a retrospective examination of the data of 36 patients with congenital diaphragm defects detected at an early stage or even before birth. The course of pregnancy, pregnancy risks, prenatal findings, mode of delivery, clinical parameters, prenatal, perinatal and postnatal procedures, findings at surgery and surgical therapy were analyzed with respect to the patients' outcome. The following factors were seen to influence the prognosis: associated anomalies, prenatal diagnosis, maturity for age, weight, Apgar score, the size of the defect and the extent of the pulmonary hypoplasia (and--linked to this--the patient's cardiorespiratory condition prior to surgery), and possibly sex. The mortality of patients surviving until surgery became possible was 28%. Our standard procedure in case of diaphragm defects known before birth is primary intubation before the child's first spontaneous breath. We also consider the practice of delaying surgery until stabilization has been achieved and especially in the incubator on the ward the course of action with the fewest complications at present from the patient's point of view.