PhD defence S.C.M. (Suzan) Cochius - den Otter

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare congenital anomaly with major inpack on early postnatal life. In this thesis we have developed a prediction model to predict mortality. We also investigated the role of known biomarkers in the prediction of pulmonary morbidity in CDH patients, but there was no correlation in our population. Also we implemented a less agressive treatment strategy in the delivery room in mild casus, where we did not intubate and ventilate these newborns directly after birth. We investigated the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil and started an international randomized trial to investigate the role of sildenafil as a first choice therapy in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the lungs, of newborns with CDH. Pulmonary hypertension is a common problem in CDH patients.

Due to corona, the PhD defences do not take place publicly in the usual way in the Senate Hall of the Professor Andries Querido Room. The candidates will defend their dissertation either in a small group or online.