PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Infants with a life-threatening birth defect can get specialized care at a unique center focusing on Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH).
The condition is when the diaphragm doesn’t fully develop and causes other organs to shift, preventing normal lung development. Surgery is required shortly after birth.
“Children’s hospitals tend to have three ICUs: a neonatal ICU, a cardiac ICU and a pediatric ICU. But nobody’s ever had a diaphragmatic hernia ICU, and that allows us to focus on the care of these kids whose lives hang in the balance,” said Dr. David Kays, director of the Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital…