Beyond the Neonate: A Delayed Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 17-Year-Old

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare anomaly resulting from incomplete closure of pleuroperitoneal canals during fetal development, often presenting with acute respiratory distress in neonates. This case report highlights a 17-year-old female with recurrent episodes of acute left upper qu...

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Main Authors: Vivienne Vinton, Molly Posa, Maria N. Kelly, Janice A. Taylor, Jaclyn Otero
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Pediatrics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/7518183
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author Vivienne Vinton
Molly Posa
Maria N. Kelly
Janice A. Taylor
Jaclyn Otero
author_facet Vivienne Vinton
Molly Posa
Maria N. Kelly
Janice A. Taylor
Jaclyn Otero
author_sort Vivienne Vinton
collection DOAJ
description Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare anomaly resulting from incomplete closure of pleuroperitoneal canals during fetal development, often presenting with acute respiratory distress in neonates. This case report highlights a 17-year-old female with recurrent episodes of acute left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain and no history of trauma or dietary change. A computerized tomography (CT) scan taken during her second presentation to the emergency department led to a diagnosis of left-sided CDH. She later had a successful laparoscopic diaphragmatic repair surgery and has remained symptom-free for over a year. Late-presenting CDH indicates a rare subset of cases diagnosed after one month of age. Late presentations comprise 5–25% of cases and become increasingly rare with age. Unlike neonatal CDH, which is associated with several comorbidities, late presentations often manifest as a standalone anomaly. When the correct diagnosis is made, uncomplicated surgical repair yields excellent long-term outcomes. However, delayed and incorrect diagnoses can result in serious morbidity. Late-presenting CDH has diverse clinical presentations and can elude diagnostic imaging. As a result, there is a need for heightened clinical suspicion. This report aims to enhance awareness of late-presenting CDH and explore challenges to prompt, accurate diagnosis. Ultimately, this study implores clinicians to consider this condition in patients with unexplained respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms.
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spelling doaj-art-0c6201c206ca49d090140ffd7fdd3ff12025-08-20T03:17:08ZengWileyCase Reports in Pediatrics2090-68112024-01-01202410.1155/2024/7518183Beyond the Neonate: A Delayed Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 17-Year-OldVivienne Vinton0Molly Posa1Maria N. Kelly2Janice A. Taylor3Jaclyn Otero4University of Florida College of MedicineUF Department of PediatricsDivision of General Academic PediatricsPediatric SurgeryUF Department of PediatricsCongenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare anomaly resulting from incomplete closure of pleuroperitoneal canals during fetal development, often presenting with acute respiratory distress in neonates. This case report highlights a 17-year-old female with recurrent episodes of acute left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain and no history of trauma or dietary change. A computerized tomography (CT) scan taken during her second presentation to the emergency department led to a diagnosis of left-sided CDH. She later had a successful laparoscopic diaphragmatic repair surgery and has remained symptom-free for over a year. Late-presenting CDH indicates a rare subset of cases diagnosed after one month of age. Late presentations comprise 5–25% of cases and become increasingly rare with age. Unlike neonatal CDH, which is associated with several comorbidities, late presentations often manifest as a standalone anomaly. When the correct diagnosis is made, uncomplicated surgical repair yields excellent long-term outcomes. However, delayed and incorrect diagnoses can result in serious morbidity. Late-presenting CDH has diverse clinical presentations and can elude diagnostic imaging. As a result, there is a need for heightened clinical suspicion. This report aims to enhance awareness of late-presenting CDH and explore challenges to prompt, accurate diagnosis. Ultimately, this study implores clinicians to consider this condition in patients with unexplained respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/7518183
spellingShingle Vivienne Vinton
Molly Posa
Maria N. Kelly
Janice A. Taylor
Jaclyn Otero
Beyond the Neonate: A Delayed Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 17-Year-Old
Case Reports in Pediatrics
title Beyond the Neonate: A Delayed Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 17-Year-Old
title_full Beyond the Neonate: A Delayed Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 17-Year-Old
title_fullStr Beyond the Neonate: A Delayed Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 17-Year-Old
title_full_unstemmed Beyond the Neonate: A Delayed Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 17-Year-Old
title_short Beyond the Neonate: A Delayed Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a 17-Year-Old
title_sort beyond the neonate a delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a 17 year old
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/7518183
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