Extract
Since 2000, more than 400 000 babies worldwide have died of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a condition that is occurring as frequently as cystic fibrosis and characterised by underdeveloped lungs (pulmonary hypoplasia), persistent pulmonary hypertension and a diaphragmatic defect [1]. CDH can be diagnosed prenatally with ultrasound and fetal MRI, but outcome prediction and diagnostic accuracy remain imperfect [2]. The observed over expected lung-to-head (O/E LHR) ratio at 22–23 and 32–33 weeks of gestation is currently used to predict CDH outcomes [3]. A prenatal biomarker for the assessment of disease severity and prognostication has not been established yet. In contrast to cystic fibrosis, a common genetic cause has not been identified for CDH, suggesting that epigenetic and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis. We have previously discovered that microRNA 200b (miR-200b) is highly dysregulated in hypoplastic human CDH lungs and that miR-200b administration can serve as a prenatal therapy in an animal model for CDH [4, 5].
Footnotes
This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Wagner has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Jha has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Ayoub has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Shana Kahnamoui has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Patel has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Mr. Mahood has nothing to disclose
Conflict of interest: Dr. Halayko has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Martin Lacher
Conflict of interest: Dr. Pascoe has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Keijzer has nothing to disclose.
- Received March 11, 2019.
- Accepted October 29, 2019.
- Copyright ©ERS 2019