Fetal diaphragmatic hernia: the value of fetal echocardiography in the prediction of postnatal outcome

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Abstract
Summary. Nineteen pregnancies complicated by fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) referred for fetal echocardiography have been reviewed. Congenital heart disease was diagnosed prenatally in three fetuses; in one of these the pregnancy was terminated, the two other infants died in the neonatal period. The presence of the fetal stomach within the thorax or a hernia/heart area ratio greater than 1·7 was associated with a large diaphragmatic defect. Polyhydramnios was not associated with a poor postnatal outcome. Evidence of cardiac ventricular disproportion before 24 weeks gestation in isolated CDH was associated with 100% mortality. Development of ventricular disproportion during the third trimester was associated with a survival rate of 75%. In three fetuses, all of whom survived, no ventricular disproportion was detected during the third trimester examination.