Late‐Presenting Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Potentially Life Threatening Case

Abstract

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) generally presents with respiratory distress in the neonatal period. Late onset CDH is less common and is associated with a wide range of clinical symptoms. We report a case of a 4-year-old child presenting with sudden onset of dizziness, abdominal pain and vomiting after swimming. Radiological investigations showed a left CDH with mediastinal shift. She gradually developed respiratory distress after admission. Urgent operation showed that the contents of the hernia included stomach, spleen, small and large bowels. This case highlights the importance of suspicion of CDH, proper clinical examination and investigation of children with acute non-specific gastrointestinal complaints.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Benin Teaching Hospital Experience

“…On the para-clinical level, chest X-ray or better with a naso-gastric tube can be used to diagnose [8]. This diagnosis can be confirmed by oeso-gastro-duodenal transit, which shows an opacification of the stomach in the thorax, but this examination fails to underestimate the degree of hernia [9].…”

“…The installation of a naso-gastric tube with a gentle aspiration is useful to ensure decompression of the digestive tract [8]. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is used in cases of severe hypoxia and stabilization of newborn babies before and during surgery [11].…”