Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) should be diagnosed in the prenatal period and prompt referral to a tertiary referral center for imaging, genetic testing, and multidisciplinary counseling. Individual prediction of prognosis is based on the absence of additional anomalies, lung size, and liver herniation. In severe cases, a prenatal endotracheal balloon procedure is currently being offered at specialized centers. Fetal intervention is now also offered to milder cases within a trial, hypothesizing that this may reduce the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in survivors. Postnatal management has been standardized by European high-volume centers for the purpose of this and other trials.

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doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2009.03.004, hdl.handle.net/1765/26987
Clinics in Perinatology
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Deprest, J., Gratacos, E., Nicolaides, K., Done, E., van Mieghem, T., Gucciardo, L., … Tibboel, D. (2009). Changing Perspectives on the Perinatal Management of Isolated Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Europe. Clinics in Perinatology (Vol. 36, pp. 329–347). doi:10.1016/j.clp.2009.03.004