What Is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)?
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a rare and serious birth defect that affects approximately 1 in every 2,500 live births, impacting nearly 1,600 babies each year in the United States. Despite occurring at a rate similar to conditions such as Spina Bifida and Cystic Fibrosis, CDH receives only a fraction of the national research funding.
CDH occurs when a baby’s diaphragm does not fully form during pregnancy. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. When there is an opening in the diaphragm, organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, or spleen can move into the chest area. This limits the space available for the lungs to grow and can impact heart development and function.
At Charlie Polizzi’s Warrior of the Angels, our mission is to raise awareness for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), support families affected by infant loss, and help fund research that improves survival rates and long-term outcomes for children diagnosed with CDH.
(Left) The diaphragm is a sheet of flat muscle that separates the heart and lungs from the abdominal cavity. (Right) In CDH, a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest and restrict lung development. © CHOP/CFDT
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/congenital-diaphragmatic-hernia-cdh?msclkid=8f12aefce9ac11de03aef3f9edd1e233&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CHOP%20-%20Fetal%20-%20US%20-%20CDH&utm_term=cdh%20specialist&utm_content=CDH
Understanding CDH in Simple Terms
A baby with CDH is born with a hole in the diaphragm. Because of this opening, abdominal organs can shift upward into the chest while the baby is developing in the womb. This can prevent the lungs from growing properly, leading to underdeveloped lungs and breathing difficulties after birth.
The severity of CDH varies from child to child. Some babies have mild cases and recover after surgery, while others face significant medical complications and require intensive treatment immediately after birth.
Common complications associated with CDH include:
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Underdeveloped lungs (pulmonary hypoplasia)
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Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
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Difficulty breathing after birth
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Feeding and growth challenges
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Long NICU stays
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Long-term respiratory or developmental complications
How Is CDH Diagnosed?
CDH is most commonly diagnosed during pregnancy through:
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Routine anatomy ultrasounds
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Fetal MRI imaging
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Fetal echocardiograms
In some cases, CDH may not be diagnosed until after birth if symptoms appear suddenly.
Parents facing a prenatal CDH diagnosis are often referred to specialized fetal care centers for additional testing, monitoring, and treatment planning.
Learn more about Charlie’s journey on our Our Story page.
CDH Treatment Options
Treatment for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia depends on the severity of the condition.
Common treatments may include:
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Mechanical ventilation to support breathing
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ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) for severe cases
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Surgery to repair the diaphragm
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NICU care and monitoring
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Feeding therapy and long-term follow-up care
Research continues to improve treatment methods and quality of life for CDH survivors.
Thank you to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for their continued support in our crusade against CDH.
