Epidemiology and outcome of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a tertiary care university hospital: 10 Years′ Experience

Abstract

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a major birth defect, which continues to be associated with significant rate of morbidity and mortality. CDH-local studies are limited. The objective of this article is to determine the epidemiology and demographics of CDH; and if the introduction of nitric oxide has influenced the outcome. Materials and Methods: A retrospective 10-year medical records review of neonates with CDH admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital. Results: A total of 29 infants had been admitted to the NICU with CDH between January 2001 and December 2010. The mean gestational age was 38.58 ΁ 2.6 weeks and the mean birth weight was 2821 ΁ 682 g. The incidence of CDH among the inborn infants was 1/250 live births (P 0.05. Conclusion: The incidence of CDH was found much higher than the reported cases in literature; and although the mortality rate has improved after the introduction of iNO, the difference was not statistically significant. Both interesting findings necessitate further studies.