Facts about CDH (congenital diaphragmatic hernia)

- Occurs in about 1 in 2,500 births.  Most cases for sporadic, although we do have an increased risks of having more babies with the defect now that we've had it once.

- We are looking at a potential Bochdalek Hernia, which is the most common type (about 90% are this).   this means the hole is in the back and left of the diaphragm.

- roughly 36% chance of having a secondary defect - heart or chromosomal being the most likely.  Prenatal karyotyping will be used to discover chromosomal abnormalities before the baby is born. Fetal echocardiography will be used to discover any heart defects.  Presence of either of these increases the risks for infant morbidity. 

- If it is in fact CDH, we are hoping for a 'liver down, LHR of 1.4 or higher' result.  This is the best place to start from - easiest to fix, lowest risks of other complications.  They will do an Fetal MRI on us to figure this out.

- UCSF is one of the national leaders in CDH research, treatment and experimental surgeries.  which is amazing that we live here.  i've been looking at some other CDH hospital sites and they offer far less options and resources then UCSF.