About CDH | Our Services | Program Highlights | Our Team | Location | Appointments
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a complex condition that requires specialized, multidisciplinary care from an experienced team. The Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Program at Columbia offers exactly that–from diagnosis to treatment to support into adulthood, our program combines unmatched clinical expertise with the latest research and most advanced treatments to provide the best outcomes for you and your baby.
To make an appointment with the Columbia Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Program, please call (212) 342-8586 or use our appointment request form.
What Is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)?
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a serious condition where the diaphragm—the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen—doesn’t form properly as the fetus develops. This leaves an opening that can allow the abdominal organs to shift up into the chest, crowding the lungs and heart.
Without proper space to grow, the baby’s lungs remain small and underdeveloped—a condition called pulmonary hypoplasia. Poor blood vessel development can also cause pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the lungs.
CDH is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires careful monitoring and surgical correction. But advances in treatment have dramatically improved the outlook for babies born with CDH, with survival rates being around 70%.
Learn more about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of CDH
CDH Care at Columbia
Columbia’s Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital offers the most advanced treatments and support for babies with CDH.
When you schedule a follow-up care appointment with us, you can expect to spend several hours visiting multiple physicians, who will be consulting with each other during your visit about your child's care.
Our services include:
- Ultrasound and MRI for diagnosis and ongoing monitoring during pregnancy
- Medical management from a team of experts specializing in every organ and area involved
- The latest surgical options for hernia repair after birth, including minimally invasive techniques such as video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
- Close monitoring of your child's growth, lung development, heart, and nutritional status
- Frequent communication and full support through office visits, hospital stays, and post-surgery intensive care recovery time.
CDH Program Highlights
Our program has been designed to help you and your baby in every way possible. We’re here to give you the state-of-the-art care your family needs, with the convenience, compassion, and clear communication that you deserve. Highlights of our program include:
Unmatched Expertise
At Columbia, our surgical specialists have helped pioneer minimally invasive surgical techniques and are part of one of the leading surgical programs in the world.
Multidisciplinary Care
Babies with CDH require highly specialized care from a range of medical fields. Our CDH program brings together experts from across Columbia to make sure you and your baby have the support you need.
Advanced Prenatal Treatment
CDH treatments may be an option before your baby is born. Our Fetal Therapy Program and the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics can assess your baby’s development and may be able to offer advanced treatments prior to delivery.
Delivery and Neonatal Support
Babies born with CDH require immediate intensive care, and delivery may require specialized procedures like EXIT-to-ECMO. Columbia is one of the leading obstetric programs in the world, providing comprehensive care for high-risk pregnancies.
Leaders in Caring for Critically Ill Babies
Our neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are among the most highly regarded units in the nation—rated Level IV, the highest level of neonatal care available. Our ECMO program is the only program in the tri-state area to be designated as a Platinum Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO).
Long-term Support
As more babies with CDH survive and live longer, we’re learning about the health challenges they face. Our long-term multidisciplinary CDH clinic team follows children after they are discharged and provides care from a range of specialists—all in one setting.
The Latest Research
Our CDH team is actively involved in the latest research about how to improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care. Columbia was among the first to study outcomes of patients who underwent CDH repair to help establish standardized follow-up care in our long-term multidisciplinary clinic.
Our Team
Pediatric Surgery
CDH is treated with surgical repair to close the opening in the diaphragm. Our pediatric surgeon will work closely with you to determine the best possible timing and approach for surgery.
Vincent Duron, MD | Director, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Program
Pediatric Cardiology
CDH can often impact a baby’s heart, so it’s important to monitor their heart health and provide the right support and treatment. Your child will receive a full cardiac exam and tests to determine their heart’s health, along with follow-up care when needed.
Usha Krishnan, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterology
Children with CDH can experience a range of gastrointestinal (GI) issues, including difficulty feeding, reflux, abdominal pain, constipation, and bowel obstruction. Our experts will closely monitor your child's GI system throughout childhood.
Pediatric Pulmonology
Many children with CDH have short-and long-term respiratory issues. As part of their follow-up care, a pulmonologist will regularly check your child's lung health and function.
Our Location
We are located at Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian’s Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, the number one children’s hospital in New York. Our team is also available for online virtual visits for your convenience.
Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital
3935 Broadway
New York, NY 10032
United States
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Make an Appointment
We accept most major insurance plans and can verify your plan when you call to make your appointment.
To make an appointment with our Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Program, please call (212) 342-8586 or use our appointment request form and our office will follow up with you soon. You can also have your doctor contact us for a referral and our team can help coordinate your care.