Congenital diaphragmatic hernia presenting after the neonatal period

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek) is a congenital malformation usually presenting early after birth with a mortality of 50-70%. It is rarely diagnosed after the neonatal period, when the prognosis is considered favorable. We operated on 11 children past the neonatal period, ranging from 6 months to 5.5 years of age. 9 had presented with respiratory symptoms and were operated on semi-electively with excellent results. 2, operated on for strangulation of bowel incarcerated in the hernia, eventually died (aged 7 months and 1 year, respectively). Early diagnosis is important, as early surgery is recommended, even in those without symptoms.