Death by late-presenting Bochdalek hernia in infant soon after congenital cardiac repair.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) presenting beyond the neonatal period is commonly perceived to be rare. With reported frequencies of 2.6% to 20% of all CDH, it may be an overlooked cause of mortality. Variable symptomatology makes its diagnosis challenging. We report the sudden death of a 3-month-old patient shortly after hospital discharge following congenital heart surgery. Autopsy findings associated the patient's demise with migrated abdominal contents in the chest through a Bochdalek hernia defect. No indications of CDH existed before hospital discharge. Relevant issues pertaining to congenital heart disease, CDH, and importance of autopsy in this context are discussed.
['Chau|Destiny|D|', 'Srour|Habib|H|', 'Rolf|Cristin|C|', "O'Connor|William|W|", 'Cumbermack|Kristopher|K|', 'Bezold|Lou|L|', 'Kozik|Deborah|D|', 'Plunkett|Mark|M|', 'Murphy|Thomas J|TJ|', 'Hessel|Eugene|E|']
D001344:Autopsy D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures D017809:Fatal Outcome D005260:Female D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D013398:Sudden Infant Death
late-presenting Bochdalek hernia congenital heart surgery comorbidity morbidity) outcomes (includes mortality pediatric