January 3 - Dear Nicholas Sparks

Dear Mr. Sparks,

I thought that today I would tell you more about CDH.

  Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) occurs in approximately 1 in every 2,500 births (1,600 cases in the U.S. each year). The cause of CDH is not yet known. The diaphragm is formed in the first trimester of pregnancy and controls the lungs' ability to inhale and exhale. CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to form or to close totally and an opening allows abdominal organs into the chest cavity. This inhibits lung growth.

   Every patient diagnosed with CDH is different. Survival rates depend on the types and number of organs involved in the herniation and the amount of lung tissue available. There are many surgical procedures and complications that may or may not occur with each individual, including in utero surgery.

   Roughly 50% of babies born with CDH do not survive. Of the 50% that do survive, most will endure long hospital stays, feeding issues, asthma and other problems. A few of the survivors suffer from severe long-term medical issues.

   CDH occurs as frequently as Spina Bifida and Cystic Fibrosis, yet there is very little research being done and virtually no media coverage.

CDH Statistics

U.S CDH Stats

• There are approximately 6 million pregnancies every year throughout the United States:
  4,058,000 live births 
• 1,995,840 pregnancy losses
• 1 in 2500 babies is diagnosed with CDH 

Over 1600 babies are born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia EVERY YEAR in the United States alone. 

With a 50% survival rate, 800 of those babies will die.

Today, and every day, at least 4 families will be devastated with the news of CDH.

Global CDH Stats

147 babies will be born with CDH every day 
The World Census Bureau estimates that in 2008 over 350,000 babies are born in the world every day

Every 10 minutes a baby is born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
IDB (International Database) from the U.S. Census site, 257 people are born every minute globally.

Over 700,000 babies have been born with CDH since January 1, 2000!

CDH isn't rare and yet it's murdering thousands of children and not making international headlines. 

This is why CDH families fight so hard for awareness.

Sincerely,
Dawn Torrence Williamson