Morbidity and Mortality
Bochdalek hernia can be a life-threatening condition. Approximately 85.3% of newborns born with a Bochdalek hernia are immediately high risk. Infants born with a Bochdalek hernia have a “high mortality rate due to respiratory insufficiency.” Between 25-60% of infants, die from a Bochdalek hernia. The lungs, diaphragm, and digestive system are all forming at the same time, so when a Bochdalek hernia permits the abdominal organs to invade the chest cavity rather than remain under the diaphragm in the correct position, it puts the infant in critical condition. The invasion of these foreign “bodies” in the chest cavity, do not allow the lungs to form properly, which can eventually cause pulmonary hypoplasia (underdeveloped lungs.) “Pulmonary hypoplasia is thought to result from long-standing intrauterine (embryonic) compression of the lungs by the hernia.” Bochdalek hernias are life-threatening conditions. Due to the cause of the pulmonary hypoplasia, it may be extremely challenging for the newborn to breathe, since the lungs are not developed completely and do not function normally. These babies do not have healthy lungs filled with alveoli (air sacs). Instead, these babies have fewer sacs than normal infants. Also, if the invasion of the intestine or stomach punctures the lung, then the lungs can only fill with air partially. The baby will not be healthy or stable with this condition because he or she cannot take in enough air and oxygen to keep the body operating properly. Like the lungs, the intestines may also have trouble developing correctly. If the intestines are trapped within the lungs, then the lungs and intestines may not be receiving the amount of blood they need to stay healthy and function properly.
Read more about this topic: Bochdalek Hernia
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