Abstract:
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in young infants is
easily misdiagnosed as bronchopneumonia yet survival of such
patients lies in prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment. The
report aimed to increase awareness among Paediatricians and
Paediatric Surgeons of the need for high index of suspicion for
this condition to allow for early diagnosis and management. A
two-month old infant presented with a five-week history of
cough of sudden onset and a week history of difficulty in
breathing. He had been managed in several hospitals for
bronchopneumonia. Examination findings showed features of
respiratory distress, widespread coarse crepitations and bowel
sounds in the lung fields. Chest radiograph showed `loops of
bowel in the mediastinum. He had surgical reduction and
repair of the hernia, made excellent recovery post-op and was
discharged home. CDH is an uncommon anomaly but a high
index of suspicion will allow early diagnosis and treatment
with favourable outcome when picked early.
