Room to Breathe: The Science, Surgery, and Stabilization of CDH

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1roNmgCYoW4jSDPGp4yHtIKTq3fyYrHxWpf_hQ0JuG2Y/edit?usp=sharing Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when abdominal organs push through a diaphragmatic opening into the chest, physically crushing the growing lungs during fetal development. This condition triggers pulmonary hypoplasia, meaning both lungs fail to develop properly with adequate airways and blood vessels, though the side of the hernia suffers the most severe damage. Alongside underdeveloped lungs, infants frequently experience persistent pulmonary hypertension driven by thickened pulmonary arteries that severely restrict blood flow and oxygen exchange after birth. To combat these life-threatening challenges, medical professionals utilize specialized treatments ranging from prenatal interventions like tracheal occlusion to promote lung expansion to postnatal therapies designed to reduce vascular pressure. Ultimately, a newborn's survival and long-term prognosis depend heavily on the extent of lung growth and the severity of their pulmonary hypertension.