Surgical outcomes associated with delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A national analysis of pediatric patients
In brief
Delayed congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair had 0.6% mortality across ages
In a national database study of 1,914 children who had hernia repair after 28 days of life, mortality was 0.6% and did not differ by age group. Complications affected 10% overall, with the highest rates among infants and children aged 6 to 10 years; the retrospective findings describe outcomes but cannot explain why they differ.
- Journal
- American journal of surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 13 October 2026
- Study design
- Retrospective cohort
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Cameron J Harvey, Mason Caldwell, Philip M Lee, Eden Ines, Sidney Johnson, Benjamin Tabak, et al.
- PMID
- 42896401
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2026.117302
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Pediatric Surgery (paper of the day, 22 October 2026): National cohort analysis of delayed CDH repair outcomes
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The literature evaluating surgical outcomes of delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in pediatric patients is limited. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes associated with CDH repair in delayed presentations using a national database. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program- Pediatrics (NSQIP-P) database to evaluate pediatric patients admitted after 28 days of life who underwent surgical management for CDH from 2014 to 2023. Age groups were further divided into infants (28 days-1 year), early childhood (1-5 years), middle childhood (6-10 years), and adolescents (11-18 years). RESULTS: There were 1914 pediatric patients included with 61% being male. The overall mortality rate over a 10-year period was 0.6% and did not vary between groups. Incidence of pre-operative cardiopulmonary risk factors decreased with age while gastrointestinal abnormalities were more common among older children. The overall complication rate was 10% and complications were highest among infants (13.3%) and middle childhood (13%). CONCLUSION: Understanding the temporal relationship between CDH presentation, comorbidities, and outcomes may help in patient counseling, optimization, and outcome improvement.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.