Diaphragmatic hernia: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc.

Definition

What is a diaphragmatic hernia?

Diaphragmatic hernia or diaphragmatic hernia is a condition when the baby is born when there is a hole in the diaphragm.

The diaphragm is the large muscle that separates the organs in the chest (heart and lungs) and organs in the stomach (stomach, intestines, liver, spleen).

Diaphragmatic hernia or diaphragmatic hernia is a condition that occurs when one or more organs in the abdomen move up to the baby's chest.

One or more organs in the abdomen can ascend to the chest through an opening or opening in the diaphragm muscle. Diaphragmatic hernia in infants or what can also be called a congenital diaphragmatic hernia can prevent the baby's lungs from fully developing.

This of course can cause the baby to have difficulty breathing at birth. This baby birth defect condition can appear at birth or at a later date.

Diaphragmatic hernia in infants or diaphragmatic hernia is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

How common is this condition?

Diaphragmatic hernia or congenital diaphragmatic hernia in infants is a rare birth defect. Launching from the U.S National Library of Medicine, the incidence rate is 1 in 2500 baby births, while 5% -10% of babies who experience this condition show signs and symptoms.

These symptoms usually include problems with breathing or stomach pain due to the intestine piercing into the chest cavity. Meanwhile, in 1% of cases, diaphragmatic hernias or diaphragmatic hernias in infants do not show any specific symptoms.

In fact, about half of all newborns with a diaphragmatic hernia or diaphragmatic hernia also have other medical conditions.

Take, for example, babies also have birth defects either in the brain, heart, or intestines.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a diaphragmatic hernia?

According to Stanford Children's Health, the symptoms of a diaphragmatic hernia can vary from one baby to another. Some of the symptoms of a diaphragmatic hernia or congenital diaphragmatic hernia in babies are as follows:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath in babies
Babies tend to breathe fast
The baby's heart rate is fast
The baby's skin looks bluish
The baby's chest development looks abnormal with one side of the chest larger than the other
The baby's stomach looks sunken

The symptoms of a congenital diaphragm hernia in a baby may look similar to those of other health problems. So, make sure you check your little one to the doctor to get a clear diagnosis.

Meanwhile, the severity of hernia symptoms can vary according to the size, cause, and the problematic organ.

Difficulty breathing (difficulty breathing)

The condition of the diaphragmatic hernia in this baby is quite severe. This occurs when the development of the lungs is considered abnormal.

Tachypnea (rapid breathing)

Your lungs can try to correct the low oxygen levels in the baby's body. This is done by the lungs by working faster.

The baby's skin is bluish

When the oxygen supply from the lungs of a baby with a diaphragmatic hernia is insufficient, the baby's skin will appear bluish (cyanosis).

Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)

The baby's heart may work faster to pump blood. It is intended that the blood supply that contains oxygen throughout the body of the baby with a diaphragmatic hernia is well fulfilled.

Breath sounds are reduced or absent

Reduced or absent infant breathing sounds are a common symptom of a diaphragmatic hernia or congenital diaphragmatic hernia in infants.

This symptom can occur because one of the baby's lungs, which should consist of two organs, is not yet fully formed. This condition then makes the sound of the baby's breath in the baby's lungs that have not yet been formed or developed is not heard.

Bowel sounds in the chest area

This condition occurs when the baby's intestine moves up into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm muscle. This makes the sound of the baby's intestines heard coming from the chest area.

The baby's stomach is not full

The condition of the baby's stomach may not be as full as it should be. This can be detected when palpating or examining the baby's body by pressing on certain areas.

This baby's stomach that is not full can be caused by organs in the stomach that enter the chest cavity area.

When to see a doctor?

If you see your little one has any of the above signs or other questions, consult your doctor. The health condition of each person's body is different, including babies.

Always consult a doctor in order to get the best treatment regarding the baby's health condition.

Cause

What are the causes of a diaphragmatic hernia?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most of the causes of diaphragmatic hernias or congenital diaphragm hernias in infants are not known with certainty.

However, some cases of diaphragmatic hernias are believed to be caused by genetic abnormalities in the baby's body.

Furthermore, the cause of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia is because the diaphragmatic development does not proceed normally during the growth period of the fetus in the womb.

The condition of birth defects in babies due to a perforated diaphragm can allow one or more organs in the baby's stomach to move up to the chest. The various organs in the stomach then take up space that should be an area for the lungs.

As a result, the baby's lungs cannot develop properly. However, in most cases, diaphragmatic hernias usually only affect one of the affected baby's lungs.

Risk Factors

What increases the risk of developing this condition?

Although the cause of a diaphragmatic hernia or congenital diaphragmatic hernia in infants is not fully understood, there are various factors that increase the risk of this condition.

Take, for example, abnormalities in the baby's chromosomes and genetics and the surrounding environment and nutritional problems during pregnancy, which contribute to triggering diaphragmatic hernias in babies.

Not only that, the chances of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia in babies can also be triggered by problems or disorders in other organs.

Problems with the baby's organs can include disorders related to the development of the heart, digestive organs, and genitourinary system.

The genitourinary system or urogenital system is an organ that comes from the reproductive system and urinary system which are grouped together because of their close proximity to each other.

In addition, several factors that can increase the risk of diaphragmatic hernias or diaphragmatic hernias in infants are as follows:

The baby is injured in an accident
Have had surgical or surgical procedures on the chest or stomach
Have fallen and affect the condition of the diaphragm muscle

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should consult your doctor regarding your and your baby's health condition. This is so that your chances are greater to give birth to a healthy baby.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What tests can be done to diagnose a diaphragmatic hernia?

Doctors can diagnose a diaphragmatic hernia or diaphragmatic hernia in a unborn baby by performing a screening test.

This examination aims to diagnose possible birth defects in the unborn baby.

The examination during pregnancy is carried out by the doctor using an ultrasound (USG).

Ultrasound will help show the condition of the baby's organs, such as the diaphragm and lungs to look for possible abnormalities.

However, in some other cases, an ultrasound examination performed during pregnancy cannot reveal a diaphragmatic hernia or a diaphragmatic hernia.

Furthermore, when the baby is born, the doctor can diagnose the condition of a diaphragmatic hernia or diaphragmatic hernia by paying attention to how the baby breathes.

If the baby has difficulty breathing, the doctor usually recommends a chest x-ray or x-ray. The purpose of this examination is to show whether the position of the body organs is in their normal position.

In addition, here are some tests that can be used to help diagnose diaphragmatic hernias:

Ultrasound scan, to produce an image of the chest cavity, abdomen, and its contents
CT-scan, allows to see firsthand the condition of the abdominal organs
Blood gas analysis or arterial blood gas, to draw blood from the arteries and then test the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity levels (pH)

What are the treatment options for diaphragmatic hernias?

After the baby is born, surgery or surgery must be done immediately to correct the condition of the diaphragmatic hernia or diaphragmatic hernia. Usually, surgery is done about 48-72 hours after the baby is born.

The goal of surgery is to remove the abdominal organs from the chest and place them back into the abdomen.

Surgery to improve the baby's condition can be done earlier in an emergency situation or it may be postponed according to the baby's health.

However, an important first step for babies with diaphragmatic hernias is to stabilize their condition by increasing oxygen levels in the body.

If the baby's condition is stable, then the doctor will restore the problem of the diaphragm muscle so that it can function again through surgery or surgery.

Babies who have undergone surgery will continue to be given care to help them breathe properly until their lungs are healed.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.