Recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia

In this review, we discuss recent advances in the study of the pathogenesis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Much of the research has involve d the use of an animal model of CDH in which diaphragmatic defects are prod uced in fetal rats by administering the herbicide nitrofen to dams during m id-gestation, The animal model is described and the relevance to the human condition is discussed. The data derived from the animal studies are critic ally assessed in the context of commonly cited hypotheses proposed for the pathogenesis of CDH. Finally, experimental strategies are proposed for syst ematically examining the normal and pathological formation of the pleuroper itoneal fold. We conclude that a malformation of the primordial diaphragm, the pleuroperi toneal fold. underlies the muscle defects associated with CDH. Pediatr Pulm onol, 2000; 29:394-399, (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.