We provide our patients and families with advanced treatment and compassionate care in our CDH program.
Families find hope during a time that may otherwise feel hopeless in the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Led by CDH expert David Kays, M.D., our team in St. Petersburg, Florida, combines compassionate care, innovative techniques, and cutting-edge technology and equipment to treat babies with CDH.
Dr. David Kays’ Approach to CDH Care
Johns Hopkins All Children’s founded the first inpatient center in the country dedicated solely to the treatment of CDH. Infants treated here experience a survival rate greater than 90% even in severe cases of CDH, which exceeds national benchmarks.
Meet Dr. David Kays
Dr. Kays has treated nearly 600 children with CDH, and has spent two decades researching and redefining care for babies with CDH.
View Dr. Kay's Profile
Why Choose Johns Hopkins All Children’s
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Infants treated here experience a survival rate of greater than 90% even in severe cases, which exceeds national benchmarks.
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Our dedicated 15-bed inpatient care unit is the first in the nation to provide 24/7 specialized care for infants with CDH.
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Our team includes specialists in surgery, critical care, neonatology, cardiology, neuropsychology, pulmonology, GI, and other areas, all with experience in applying their expertise to the care of babies with CDH.
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Nurses in the CDH Center are part of the hospital’s Magnet-designated nursing team. Magnet-designated refers to the highest recognition a hospital can receive for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care, from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
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Parents know their child better than anyone and are integral members of the care team at Johns Hopkins All Children's. Our team communicates the plan for your child’s care, and because our team is dedicated to CDH care, we provide consistent oversight that makes a difference in the experience for you and your baby.
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Because babies with CDH are born with critically small and fragile lungs, Dr. Kays and his team practice “kinder, gentler ventilation” to prevent harm to our patients’ lungs.
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of heart-lung bypass sometimes used in the treatment of more severe CDH patients. We have exceptional survival rates in cases that require it, and we understand how to send almost all babies home breathing on their own.
Voices of Hope: Families Share Their CDH Journeys
Beau
Newborn Beau had CDH and was on ECMO in a Minnesota hospital. His condition was grim and his parents searched for hope. Internet searches and input from support groups pointed them to Dr. Kays, who soon connected with the parents and then flew via medical transport to bring Beau to Florida – while still on ECMO – for surgery and care.
“This was our last hope,” says mom Bri. “It was humbling to know we found someone like Dr. Kays just in time.”
Aspen
Nicoletta went to her 20-week ultrasound excited to hear her baby’s heartbeat, but left having learned that her baby likely had CDH. She strove to learn everything she could about it and found success stories from other families with a common thread — Johns Hopkins All Children’s. The family came here for care and now several years later, Aspen is a happy and healthy child who loves ballet and gymnastics.
“Aspen’s story is proof that a CDH diagnosis doesn’t define your child or their future in any way,” Nicoletta says.
Clara
When Tori went into early labor at 33 weeks, she and her husband, Josh, jumped in the car and started a 500-mile drive from Marietta, Georgia, to St. Petersburg, Florida. Their baby had CDH and they had planned to deliver at Johns Hopkins All Children’s, whatever it took. After discovering their baby Clara had CDH, they learned of the Center for CDH here and met with Dr. Kays.
“That meeting helped us make the decision that we wanted the baby to be born and treated in St. Pete,” Tori says. “There are other CDH programs closer to Atlanta where we would not have to uproot our family, but after the meeting, we knew this is where we needed to be.”
Traveling for Care
We treat children from across the country in the CDH Center at Johns Hopkins All Children’s. We have several resources to assist you and your family as you travel for care, and will discuss available accommodation options, such as Ronald McDonald House, to help meet your needs before traveling to St. Petersburg.
Contact Us
Our team is here to answer your questions and discuss concerns you have about your baby. Please give us a call at 727-767-3587 or complete the form below and a member of our team will follow up with you.