Prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia with predictors of mortality.

Since the late 1970s, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has been diagnosed antenatally by ultrasound. With improvements in ultrasound resolution, CDH is being diagnosed more frequently and at an earlier stage in gestation. This provides an opportunity to administer in utero therapy to the fetus. As 50% of babies born with CDH survive, it is imperative that accurate prognostic indicators are available to guide antenatal therapy. Antenatal diagnosis and prognostic indicators are discussed.