Eventration of the diaphragm in infancy

Seven operations for treatment of diaphragmatic eventration were performed on six infants. Four newborns suffered from respiratory failure, while two children (aged: 3 months and 10.5 years) suffered from recurrent respiratory infections prior to operation. One infant developed a recurrent eventration to thrive and was reoperated at the age of 20 months. Plication of the diaphragm in these infants rapidly restored the respiratory state to normal. Prolonged non-operative treatment in newborns with respiratory distress is not justified. In children with minimal symptomatology or recurrent pulmonary infections, operative treatment should be considered at an early stage, as an unexpected deterioration in the respiratory state may rapidly lead to death.