Diaphragmatic Hernia in Children Admitted to Pediatric Hospital during 10 Years from 2009-19

Diaphragmatic hernia is a congenital anomaly with significant mortality even in the best centers of the world. Numerous risk factors have been identified in studies as predictors of patient outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the status of diaphragmatic hernia and related outcomes in children admitted to pediatric hospital.

Data of diaphragmatic hernia was extracted from patients’ records in Dr. Sheikh Hospital in Northeast of Iran who were admitted since 2009 till 2019. Demographic and birth information, disease diagnostic findings along with developmental defects or syndromes were recorded. In addition, more information about the patient and surgery was collected, including the length of the patient's stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the patient's condition before and after surgery. Also, data about recurrence of the disease, postoperative growth and development status of the child were gathered.

Study included 153 patients, of whom 61.4% were male. Term gestational age, vaginal delivery, respiratory distress, and organ defects were seen in 81.7%, 54.9%, 91.5 %, and 24.2 % respectively. The overall hospital mortality of patients was 24.8%.The Apgar score of the live group was significantly higher than that of the deceased group. The length of ICU stay before surgery was significantly higher in the deceased group.Pco2 levels were significantly higher before and after surgery in the deceased group.HCo3 levels in the dead group were significantly higher than that of the living group.

The results of our study suggested that Apgar score and VBG (venous blood gas) status were probably related to patients' outcome.