Approximately one infant out of every 2,200 to 5,000 live births has a condition called diaphragmatic hernia, according to MedlinePlus. A diaphragmatic hernia is a type of birth defect that occurs when the diaphragm does not completely form during fetal development. Consequently, a baby with this condition has a hole in his diaphragm muscle, which allows organs from the abdominal cavity to protrude into the chest, forming a hernia. A pediatrician should evaluate an infant who develops diaphragmatic hernia symptoms as soon as possible.
Breathing Difficulties or Cyanosis
Babies with a diaphragmatic hernia typically experience severe breathing difficulties as a symptom of this condition, the University of Michigan Health System reports. Breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath, rapid breathing or wheezing, occur because of poor lung development or lung collapse caused by a diaphragmatic hernia. Infants who experience breathing difficulties can have trouble bringing adequate amounts of oxygen into their bodies. Low oxygen levels in the blood can cause cyanosis, a symptom characterized by an unusual bluish tint to the skin or lips. Babies who experience severe breathing difficulties require prompt medical care to prevent life-threatening complications such as respiratory failure.
Chest Deformity
A baby with a diaphragmatic hernia can exhibit an abnormally deformed chest as a symptom, Aurora Health Care explains. The chest can appear wider than normal or asymmetrical due to the migration of abdominal organs through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity.
Concave Abdomen
An abnormally concave or pulled in abdomen is a symptom of a diaphragmatic hernia in infants, according to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. In healthy infants, the abdominal organs provide structure to the abdomen, giving it a rounded shape. The abdominal organs in a baby with a diaphragmatic hernia protrude upwards into the chest cavity, leaving the abdominal region empty. Thus, an infant's abdomen caves inwards towards the belly button. Surgery is generally necessary to replace the organs in their appropriate positions and repair any structural abnormalities of the chest or abdomen.
