Causes of a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
There is no known cause of a diaphragmatic hernia. The weakness in the muscle is present at birth, also called a "congenital defect." There is no way to prevent a diaphragmatic hernia, as they form in utero, before the baby is born.
Who Is At Risk for a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia?
Diaphragmatic hernias happen in 1 out of every 2,000 to 5,000 births. There does appear to be a genetic link involved with this type of hernia, as a baby may have an increased risk of having this type of hernia if a sibling or a parent had the condition. Boys have a slightly higher risk than girls.
