CDH affects 1,600 babies in the U.S. each year. In CDH, a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move upwards into the chest during development, crowding the lungs and inhibiting their proper growth. Underdeveloped lungs and blood vessels that supply the lungs can cause high blood pressure in the lungs, asthma, gastrointestinal reflux, feeding disorders and developmental delays in childhood survivors of CDH.
“In severe cases of CDH, the survival rate is ranging from less than 20% to 50%, but with FETO, we’re seeing a huge improvement in odds of survival,” said Dr. Lim. “Right now, it looks like survival rates as high as 80-90% are possible, but we’re still learning.”
Fetal Health Foundation Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Ahmet Baschat and 2015 Recipient of the Brianna Marie Memorial Research grant Dr. Jena Miller are co-authors of a new Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy study that gives hope to families experiencing a diagnosis of fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Chase Juergens came out blue. His mother, Alicia, had a caesarean section, and the nurses said that wasn’t unusual. Sometimes c-section babies take a little longer to catch their breath. They took him to the nursery for oxygen. Her husband, Michael, went with.
Read moreA hole had formed in her diaphragm causing her intestines and other organs to push into her chest and restrict lung growth.