Baby Boy Born with Organs in Chest Survives Deadly Birth Defect: A Rare Case of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

When the baby was born, Dr. Shweta Kumari, Consultant, Paediatric Surgery and her team were alarmed to find he was gasping for air. What they discovered was both rare and life-threatening — a condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), where the baby’s abdominal organs had moved into the chest due to a missing diaphragm, crushing his tiny lungs.

A Deadly Condition with High Mortality

CDH is one of the most serious and complex birth defects seen in newborns. The diaphragm, a muscle that separates the chest from the belly, helps us breathe. In babies born with CDH, this muscle doesn’t form properly. This allows organs like the stomach and intestines to move into the chest and squeeze the lungs, stopping them from developing fully.

As a result, babies often struggle to breathe right from birth. Many suffer from severe lung underdevelopment (pulmonary hypoplasia) and high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) — both of which are life-threatening. One in every three babies with CDH is stillborn.

A Life-and-Death Struggle

This baby’s case was especially critical. Along with breathing difficulty, he also had a minor heart defect. He was immediately shifted to the NICU and put on a ventilator to support his breathing. Doctors knew time was short but rushing into surgery without stabilizing him could be fatal.

Over the next three days, the NICU team worked tirelessly to stabilize the baby’s condition. Only then was he taken for the risky, high-stakes surgery on Day 4 of life.

A Rare Surgical Victory

During surgery, the team carefully moved the baby’s abdominal organs back to their place and closed the hole in the diaphragm. Despite the high risk, the surgery went smoothly, and within just 5 days, the baby’s lungs expanded completely.

4 Months Later: A Happy, Growing Baby

Today, at 4 months of age, this little warrior is breathing on his own, growing well, and hitting his developmental milestones. He continues to be under follow-up and is doing remarkably well.

Why This Story Matters

This case is a powerful reminder of how critical early diagnosis, expert neonatal care, and surgical skill can make all the difference — even in the most hopeless-looking situations. CDH is rare, deadly, and unpredictable — but with the right care, survival is possible.

A heartfelt thanks to the NICU, anaesthesia, and surgery teams who gave this newborn a second chance at life.