L'outcome del neonato affetto da ernia diaframmatica congenita. (The outcome of the newborn infant suffering from congenital diaphragmatic hernia).

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is one of the most serious and controversial congenital anomalies. Pulmonary hypoplasia with/without pulmonary hypertension (and major associated anomalies) are reported the main causes of death in these patients. New treatment strategies for CDH have allowed an increase of survival also of more severe patients. As a consequence many attentions are now focused on long term follow up of these delicate babies. Many reports, in the last years, have highlighted associated morbidities in CDH survivors, such as pulmonary sequelae, neurodevelopmental delay, auxological deficits, gastrointestinal and orthopedic disorders. Therefore it is nowadays quite evident that this group of patient is a complex population to care during the first year of life but also throughout infancy and childhood, thus requiring a well defined follow up. Single institution data on overall survival have been frequently reported, only few of these however reported long term follow up of their patients. The aim of this short review is to describe the mid and long term outcomes of CDH survivors, suggesting also a personal view of follow up protocol for these babies.