Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a case report

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a simple defect of the diaphragm that allows abdominal organs to herniate into the chest. It presents most frequently in the newborn period, with high mortality, although late-presenting cases represent between 5% and 45% of all cases. The presenting symptoms, diagnosis, and management of late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia differ considerably from those of neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia and it poses a diagnostic challenge for pediatricians. Misdiagnosis can result in significant morbidity. We describe the case of a 6-month-old boy presented to the emergencies with 2 days of worsening respiratory distress. Chest radiograph and thoraco-abdominal ultrasonography identified a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The patient was admitted for thoracoscopic left congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair with a satisfactory evolution.