Observational Study Using Echocardiography to Assess Heart and Lung Function in Newborns and Children with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia up to Age 17

What this Trial Is About

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia CDH is linked to lung underdevelopment, high blood pressure in the lungs, and reduced size of the left heart ventricle. Researchers are studying how these heart and lung issues persist from newborn through pediatric and adolescent stages. They aim to understand how decreased heart function and increased lung pressure relate to other health problems and developmental challenges in children with CDH. This observational study uses advanced heart ultrasound techniques called echocardiography to assess heart function and lung pressure at multiple ages, from birth to adolescence. Several groups of patients at different ages will be studied, including newborns, infants, children, and pre-adolescents or adolescents. Data collection includes detailed heart measurements and developmental questionnaires. A comparison group without CDH will also be included. Participants will undergo scheduled echocardiograms at specific times, such as within 24 hours of birth, days 3 to 5, weeks 2 to 3, and at ages 4, 9 months, 3, 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17 years. Researchers will review medical records for perinatal and health information and collect developmental scores. Safety is monitored by alerting clinicians if significant anomalies are found during echocardiograms. The study will measure heart function and pulmonary hypertension over time to better understand CDH impacts.

Exploratory Observational Prospective Study in Neonatal and Pediatric Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia