Congenital hernias are conditions that develop when a baby is growing in the mother's womb. They occur when an organ or tissue moves into an area where it does not belong. It might move through an opening or weakness in the body wall. One important type is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), in which an opening in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity and may affect lung development.
Parents seeking congenital hernia treatment in Siliguri should look for specialised medical care to ensure their child receives the right diagnosis and treatment. A paediatric specialist such as Dr. Manish Madhav can assess the hernia, recommend suitable diagnostic tests, and determine whether surgery is required or not.
What is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia?
A Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia is a birth defect in which the diaphragm does not develop completely. A diaphragm is a thin, dome-shaped muscle located at the bottom of the chest cavity that separates the chest (heart and lungs) from the abdomen. When the diaphragm does not develop completely, it creates an opening through which organs such as the stomach, intestines, or spleen may move into the chest cavity.
When abdominal organs occupy space in the chest, they can restrict the development of the lungs before birth. In more complex cases, the lungs may not fully develop, causing pulmonary hypoplasia. Some babies may also experience high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs, called pulmonary hypertension. Diagnosis may involve prenatal ultrasound, fetal imaging, and after-birth chest X-rays, or other tests. Treatment depends on the child’s health and the severity of the hernia.
