Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
If you don't know what it is......you're not alone.
Please click the photos to visit these pages.
CDH Angels
These little Angels are so loved - so missed - and always remembered. We honor them each and every day.
CDH Babies
Celebrate the wonders of these little fighters!
Expecting & New Arrivals
These little ones are expected soon or have just arrived! See who they are and offer congratulations, messages of hope and prayers.
CDH Information
Links to various explanations of CDH and how it is treated.
Foundations, Organizations and Groups
Here you'll find various links for support, advocacy and awareness.
CDH Videos
Share the beautiful memories of these precious babies - or request your own!
The Parker Reese Foundation - Please click on the logos below to visit the websites
The Blog
Keep up to date on the happenings at The Parker Reese Foundation. Meet the CDH Babies and Angels and read their stories.
The Parker Reese Foundation
The Parker Reese Foundation was started by a determined mommy who lost her little girl, Parker Reese to CDH. She has dedicated herself to helping others fight this condition and support parents who are forced to deal with all it involves.
Parker's House
Parker's House is for families delivering a baby with CDH or coming back for appts/surgeries at Duke University Medical Centre or UNC Chapel Hill (North Carolina). There is no charge to the families using this home.
Donate to The Parker Reese Foundation
All donations, large or small, are gratefully accepted. Parker's House is always in need of items too if you'd care to donate that way!
CDH - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
A congenital (present from birth) diaphragmatic hernia is caused by a defect in which the diaphragm, the large dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen, fails to completely develop. The condition requires immediate surgery to repair the damage caused by the defect.
The incomplete diaphragm has a large hole through which the abdominal organs can pass (herniate) into the chest cavity. Most commonly the hole occurs on the left side (almost 90% of cases). This compresses the fetal lung nearest the hernia, preventing full development, and thus interferes with breathing after the infant is born.
The incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is approximately 1 in 2,000 births, and boys are more commonly affected.
Description: While the child is under general anesthesia, an incision is made in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The abdominal organs are gently pulled down through the opening in the diaphragm and positioned into the abdominal cavity.
The hole in the diaphragm is repaired and the incision is stitched closed. If a large defect is present, a plastic patch is used to cover the defect in the diaphragm. A tube is placed in the chest to allow air, blood, and fluid to drain so the affected lung can re-expand. This tube remains in place after surgery for a few days.
Indications: When the abdominal organs pass into the chest cavity, the lung tissue on the affected side is compressed, fails to grow normally, and is unable to expand after birth. As the child begins to breathe, cry, and swallow, air enters the intestines that are protruding into the chest. The increasing size of the intestines puts pressure on the other side of the chest, the other lung, and the heart and can quickly cause a life-threatening situation.