A Bochdalek hernia is a condition in newborns in which the abdominal organs, such as the stomach and intestines, migrate into the chest cavity through a weakened portion of the diaphragm. This type of hernia is a type of diaphragmatic hernia, which means that a hernia, or hole, develops in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. Bochdalek hernias typically occur due to poor fetal development while the affected infant was in utero. Infants who develop Bochdalek hernia symptoms should receive prompt medical care from a doctor.
Breathing Difficulties
Infants who have a Bochdalek hernia can develop abnormally small lungs, which can lead to significant breathing difficulties, according to medical professionals with Seattle Children's Hospital. In healthy infants, the diaphragm contracts upon inhalation. This increases the amount of space within the chest cavity and allows the lungs to take in more oxygen. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes, which helps push carbon dioxide out of the lungs. If there is a hole in the diaphragm due to a Bochdalek hernia, this muscle may not be able to contract and relax normally. Consequently, affected infants can have difficulty inhaling or may take short, rapid breaths.
Increased Heart Rate
An increased heart rate can occur as a symptom of a Bochdalek hernia in affected babies, according to health professionals with the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Breathing difficulties can cause the heart to beat faster to ensure that oxygen-rich blood reaches the body's organs efficiently.
Cyanosis
A hole in a baby's diaphragm interferes with normal breathing, which prevents the blood from receiving adequate amounts of oxygen. Oxygen poor blood can cause infants with a Bochdalek hernia to appear discolored or pale. In cases of severe oxygen deficiency in the blood, certain infants can develop a bluish color to their skin--a Bochdalek hernia symptom referred to as cyanosis, according to medical professionals with the University of Rochester Medical Center. This skin discoloration typically resolves when an affected baby receives appropriate medical treatment.
Chest or Abdomen Deformity
The chest or abdomen or a baby with a Bochdalek hernia can appear disfigured as a symptom of this condition, according to health professionals with Children's Hospital Boston. Affected infants can develop an unusually concave abdomen that appears pulled into the infant's body at the belly button. This occurs because the abdominal organs shift upward through the Bochdalek hernia, leaving the abdominal cavity partially or totally empty. Additionally, certain babies can exhibit unusual chest development. It may appear as though one side of an infant's chest is larger than the other. These symptoms of a Bochdalek hernia are typically apparent at birth but should be discussed with a medical professional if they arise during early childhood.
