Birth defect in which a small opening in the diaphragm that allows the upper part of the stomach to move up into the chest— requires surgery

Birth defect in which a small opening in the diaphragm that allows the upper part of the stomach to move up into the chest— requires surgery

• A. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• B. Hiatal hernia
• C. Inguinal hernia
• D. Umbilical hernia

Answer: (A)

A congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect where a hole or opening in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs, often the stomach, to move up into the chest. That intrusion into the thoracic cavity can crowd the developing lungs, leading to breathing difficulties after birth and making surgical repair necessary to push the organs back into the abdomen and close the diaphragmatic defect. This distinguishes it from other hernias: a hiatal hernia involves the stomach passing through the esophageal opening into the chest, usually not a birth defect and not necessarily requiring urgent surgery in newborns; an inguinal hernia occurs in the groin; and an umbilical hernia occurs at the navel. The key point is the diaphragmatic defect present at birth causing abdominal contents to herniate into the chest, requiring surgical correction.