IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 144 
Expressing support for designation of April 2013 as ‘‘National Congenital 
Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 9, 2013 
Mrs. ROBY (for herself and Mr. HOLDING) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of April 2013 as ‘‘Na-
tional Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness 
Month’’. 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when the di-
aphragm fails to fully form, allowing abdominal organs to 
migrate into the chest cavity and prevent lung growth; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention de-
fines congenital diaphragmatic hernia as a birth defect; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs in 1 of every 
2,500 births; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia affects approxi-
mately 1,600 babies each year in the United States; 
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•HRES 144 IH 
Whereas the majority of congenital diaphragmatic hernia pa-
tients have underdeveloped lungs or poor pulmonary 
function; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients often en-
dure long-term complications, including pulmonary hyper-
tension, pulmonary hypoplasia, asthma, gastrointestinal 
reflex, feeding disorders, and developmental delays; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors some-
times endure long-term mechanical ventilation depend-
ency, skeletal malformations, supplemental oxygen de-
pendency, enteral and parenteral nutrition, and hypoxic 
brain injury; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients have a sur-
vival rate ranging from 62 percent to 90 percent depend-
ing on the severity of the defect, the treatment available 
at delivery, and whether extracorporeal membrane oxy-
genation must be used; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia has affected more 
than 600,000 babies throughout the world since 2000; 
Whereas babies born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia 
endure extended hospital stays in intensive care with 
multiple surgeries; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia is as common a 
birth defect as spina bifida and cystic fibrosis; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia is diagnosed in 
utero in only 75 percent of cases; 
Whereas congenital diaphragmatic hernia is treated through 
mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygen-
ation machines (commonly known as ‘‘heart and lung by-
pass machines’’) and surgical repair; 
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•HRES 144 IH 
Whereas patients often outgrow congenital diaphragmatic 
hernia surgical repair, leading to reherniation and requir-
ing additional surgery; 
Whereas the occurrence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia 
does not discriminate based on race, gender, or socio-
economic status; 
Whereas the cause of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is un-
known; 
Whereas the average hospital bill for a congenital diaphrag-
matic hernia patient is $500,000; 
Whereas the total annual cost of medical care for children 
with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in the United 
States is more than $800,000,000; and 
Whereas the month of April 2013 would be an appropriate 
month to designate as ‘‘National Congenital Diaphrag-
matic Hernia Awareness Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Con-
genital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month’’; 
(2) declares that steps should be taken to— 
(A) raise awareness of and increase public 
knowledge about congenital diaphragmatic her-
nia; 
(B) inform minority populations in the 
United States about congenital diaphragmatic 
hernia; 
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•HRES 144 IH 
(C) disseminate information on the impor-
tance of good neonatal care for congenital dia-
phragmatic hernia patients; 
(D) promote good prenatal care and the 
use of ultrasounds to detect congenital dia-
phragmatic hernia in utero; and 
(E) encourage research on congenital dia-
phragmatic hernia in order to discover its 
causes, develop treatments, and find a cure; 
and 
(3) calls on the people of the United States, in-
terest groups, and affected persons to— 
(A) promote awareness of congenital dia-
phragmatic hernia; 
(B) take an active role in the fight against 
this devastating birth defect; and 
(C) observe National Congenital Diaphrag-
matic Hernia Awareness Month with appro-
priate ceremonies and activities. 
Æ 
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