Congenital Morgagni's hernia in infants and children

Morgagni's hernia is an uncommon type of diaphragmatic hernia in the pediat ric age group. Out of 52 children with different types of congenital diaphr agmatic hernia that we have treated, 5 (9.6%) had Morgagni's hernia. There were 2 infants and 3 children including one with Down's syndrome. All suffe red from repeated attacks of chest infection, and only after a chest X-ray was the diagnosis of Morgagni's hernia suspected. In 2 cases this appeared as an opacity in the anterior mediastinum adjacent to the pericardium; diag nosis was confirmed by barium enema in one and a CT-scan in the other. The remaining 3 eases showed anterior herniation of bowel loops on chest X-ray which was bilateral in one. This bilaterality was confirmed pre-operatively by CT scan. Associated anomalies were present in all cases, including 2 wi th malrotation. All patients were treated surgically via a transabdominal a pproach. Our study shows a relative high frequency of Morgagni's hernia in our patients and, although late-presenting Morgagni hernias are relatively benign, it can cause significant morbidity. This calls for early diagnosis and early referral for surgery. Chest X-ray is to be strongly advocated in children with repeated attacks of chest infection.