Hernia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hernia, including details on hiatal, inguinal, umbilical, abdominal, treatment.

Genetic factors in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Holder AM, Klaassens M, Tibboel D, de Klein A, Lee B, Scott DA

Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a relatively common birth defect associated with high mortality and morbidity. Although the exact etiology of most cases of CDH remains unknown, there is a growing body of evidence that genetic factors play an important role in the development of CDH. In this review, we examine key findings that are likely to form the basis for future research in this field. Specific topics include a short overview of normal and abnormal diaphragm development, a discussion of syndromic forms of CDH, a detailed review of chromosomal regions recurrently altered in CDH, a description of the retinoid hypothesis of CDH, and evidence of the roles of specific genes in the development of CDH.

Published 16 April 2007 in Am J Hum Genet, 80(5): 825-45.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Hernia Research Today. All Rights Reserved.