Brought to you by

What is a diaphragmatic hernia?

What causes a diaphragmatic hernia?

How can doctors tell if my child has a diaphragmatic hernia?

How do doctors treat a diaphragmatic hernia?

Birth Defects of the Digestive Tract

Abdominal Wall Defects

Anorectal Malformations

Biliary Atresia

Diaphragmatic Hernia

Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Hirschsprung Disease

Intestinal Malrotation

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Cholestasis is reduction or stoppage of the flow of bile, the digestive fluid produced by the liver. It can be caused by disorders of the liver, bile duct, or pancreas. Which of the following is a key symptom that is almost always present in people with cholestasis?

Abdominal pain
Enlarged gallbladder
Enlarged spleen
Jaundice

Diaphragmatic Hernia

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Apr 2020| Content last modified Apr 2020

Click here for the Professional Version

Get the full details

The diaphragm is the muscle between the chest and belly that helps you breathe. A hernia is a hole or weak spot in a muscle.

A diaphragmatic hernia is a hole or weak spot in the diaphragm that allows organs in the belly to bulge into the chest.

Babies can be born with a diaphragmatic hernia
The baby's stomach, intestine, liver, or spleen may bulge into the chest on one side and push on the lung
A diaphragmatic hernia is almost always on the left
It may cause severe breathing problems at birth

If the abdominal organs push into the chest before birth, the lung on that side may not develop normally. If the abdominal organs push into the chest after birth, your baby will have a hard time breathing.

Doctors aren't sure why some babies develop a diaphragmatic hernia, but it often happens in babies with other birth defects.

Doctors may find a diaphragmatic hernia before your baby’s birth during a routine ultrasound. After birth, doctors do a chest x-ray.

To treat a diaphragmatic hernia, doctors will:

If needed, give your baby oxygen with a breathing machine (ventilator)
Do surgery to repair the hole or weak spot in your baby’s diaphragm

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version

Click here for the Professional Version

Biliary Atresia

Was This Page Helpful?

Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Diaphragmatic Hernia

Hiatus Hernia

Overview of Digestive Tract Birth Defects

Follow

Add to Any Platform

MSD and the MSD Manuals

Merck and Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Manual was first published as the Merck Manual in 1899 as a service to the community. The legacy of this great resource continues as the MSD Manual outside of North America. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

TOP