[Eventration of the diaphragm in infancy and childhood (author's transl)].

31 children with eventration of the diaphragm were observed at the surgical department of the University Children's Hospital in Zürich from 1960 to 1975. 27 of the 31 children were less than one year old. In 14 of the cases the eventration was caused by a congenital hypoplasia of the diaphragm, in 12 by a traumatic paralysis of the phrenic nerve and in 3 cases it occurred postoperatively. 2 children had acquired the eventration later on in childhood. 18 of the 31 children were operated upon, 13 were treated conservatively. All except one survived and were examined again 3 to 15 years later. The various pathological anatomical forms, the clinical picture, signs and symptoms and the indication for conservative or operative treatment are discussed and illustrated by typical cases of the present series.