Survival & Outcomes

The unique Comprehensive CDH Care Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital offers an unprecedented level of ongoing care for babies and children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

• Over the last five years, the overall survival of babies with CDH who are cared for at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is in line with the national average of 70%. This includes all babies with CDH, including those with other physical problems and/or genetic disorders.
• For the babies who undergo surgery to repair the CDH, 96% survive. Most importantly, more than 95% of babies who have surgical repair at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon go home.
• From 2013 through 2017, all of the babies who have had a left-sided CDH with repair and those with liver-down repair have survived. In the higher risk category of CDH babies with liver-up, 80% have survived to discharge.

Our collaborative team constantly works to discover improved therapies, survival, and repair techniques to move babies from the hospital to home.