Symptoms & Signs
Severe breathing difficulty usually develops shortly after the baby is born, because of ineffective movement of the diaphragm and crowding of the lung tissue, which causes collapse. The reason why this occurs is not known.
Other symptoms include:
- Bluish colored skin due to lack of oxygen
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
Diagnosis & Tests
The pregnant mother may have excessive amounts of amniotic fluid. Fetal ultrasound may show abdominal contents in the chest cavity.
Examination of the infant shows:
- Irregular chest movements
- Absent breath sounds on affected side
- Bowel sounds heard in the chest
- Abdomen feels less full on examination by touch (palpation)
A chest x-ray may show abdominal organs in chest cavity.
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Diaphragmatic hernia : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Diaphragmatic hernia : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Diaphragmatic hernia : Treatment
Review Date : 5/27/2009
Reviewed By : Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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