National Care Principles for the Management of Congenital Diagphragmatic Hernia (2018)

In December 2014 MBRRACE-UK launched a report on the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) based on the findings of a confidential enquiry. 

The cases selected for the enquiry were derived from an existing study and had been drawn from across the UK and represented all types of CDH from the most severe to the most benign. Although many examples of good practice were identified a key finding from the enquiry was the enormous variation that existed in every aspect of care provided from the moment the diagnosis was first suspected through to either discharge / follow up or death. As a consequence of these findings it was recommended that the care of women with affected pregnancies and their babies should become more consistent. 

To achieve this aim the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) convened a group comprised of representatives from all of the relevant UK specialty organisations and other stakeholders with the aim of:

1. Identifying the principles of care that should be delivered in managing this condition from the time it is first suspected.
2. Highlighting the organisational changes necessary to meet the aspirations of parents in terms of the quality and consistency of care they receive wherever this is delivered across the UK.

This document represents the agreed view of that group and highlights the approach that centres managing this condition should deliver.