Please could you sign this petition :) - 24th Mar 2013 7:21pm
It would mean a lot to myself and my hubby aswell (with regards to Anna) as all the other parents of children born with CDH. Thanks.
Here is the link>
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/33898
What is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)?
A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect (an abnormality that occurs before birth) that develops as a fetus is forming in the mother's uterus. A congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when the diaphragm does not form properly. The diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. The diaphragm is an important muscle for breathing. When there is an opening in the diaphragm, organs that are normally in the abdomen can be pushed (herniated) through the opening into the chest. Currently little is known about why this birth defect occurs.
What causes a diaphragmatic hernia?
As the fetus grows in its mother's uterus before birth, different organ systems are developing and maturing. The diaphragm forms between the 7th and 10th week of pregnancy. The esophagus (the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach), the stomach, and the intestines are also developing at this time.
In CDH, the diaphragm does not develop properly and some or all parts of the abdominal organs (stomach, spleen, intestine and/or liver) move into the chest. The displacement of these abdominal organs into the chest can affect how the lungs develop and grow.
Most cases of diaphragmatic hernia are believed to be multi-factorial in origin. Multi-factorial means that many factors, both genetic and environmental, are involved. It is thought that multiple genes from both parents, as well as a number of environmental factors that scientists do not yet fully understand, contribute to the development of a diaphragmatic hernia.
Approximately 40% of cases of CDH are associated with other birth defects. The most common is a congenital heart defect.
Up to 20% of cases of CDH have a genetic cause due to a chromosome defect or genetic syndrome. In many of these cases, the child has other birth defects in addition to the CDH.
Here is the link>
http:/
What is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)?
A diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect (an abnormality that occurs before birth) that develops as a fetus is forming in the mother's uterus. A congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when the diaphragm does not form properly. The diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. The diaphragm is an important muscle for breathing. When there is an opening in the diaphragm, organs that are normally in the abdomen can be pushed (herniated) through the opening into the chest. Currently little is known about why this birth defect occurs.
What causes a diaphragmatic hernia?
As the fetus grows in its mother's uterus before birth, different organ systems are developing and maturing. The diaphragm forms between the 7th and 10th week of pregnancy. The esophagus (the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach), the stomach, and the intestines are also developing at this time.
In CDH, the diaphragm does not develop properly and some or all parts of the abdominal organs (stomach, spleen, intestine and/or liver) move into the chest. The displacement of these abdominal organs into the chest can affect how the lungs develop and grow.
Most cases of diaphragmatic hernia are believed to be multi-factorial in origin. Multi-factorial means that many factors, both genetic and environmental, are involved. It is thought that multiple genes from both parents, as well as a number of environmental factors that scientists do not yet fully understand, contribute to the development of a diaphragmatic hernia.
Approximately 40% of cases of CDH are associated with other birth defects. The most common is a congenital heart defect.
Up to 20% of cases of CDH have a genetic cause due to a chromosome defect or genetic syndrome. In many of these cases, the child has other birth defects in addition to the CDH.
