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ACR-55 California Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month.(2019-2020)

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Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 55
CHAPTER 54

Relative to California Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month.

[ Filed with Secretary of State  May 15, 2019. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACR 55, Fong. California Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month.
This measure would designate April 2019 as California Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month.
Fiscal Committee: NO  

WHEREAS, Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully form, allowing abdominal organs to migrate into the chest cavity and preventing lung growth; and
WHEREAS, The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes CDH as a birth defect; and
WHEREAS, The majority of CDH patients suffer from underdeveloped lungs or poor pulmonary function; and
WHEREAS, Babies born with CDH endure extended hospital stays in intensive care with multiple surgeries; and
WHEREAS, CDH patients often endure long-term complications, including pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary hypoplasia, asthma, gastrointestinal reflux, feeding disorders, and developmental delays; and
WHEREAS, CDH survivors sometimes endure long-term mechanical ventilation dependency, skeletal malformations, supplemental oxygen dependency, enteral and parenteral nutrition, and hypoxic brain injury; and
WHEREAS, CDH is treated through mechanical ventilation, a heart and lung bypass, which is commonly known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), machines, and surgical repair; and
WHEREAS, Surgical repair is often not a permanent solution for CDH and can lead to reherniation and require additional surgery; and
WHEREAS, CDH is diagnosed in utero in less than 50 percent of cases; and
WHEREAS, Infants born with CDH have a high mortality rate, ranging from 20 to 60 percent, depending on the severity of the defect and interventions available at delivery; and
WHEREAS, CDH has a rate of occurrence of 1 in every 2,570 live births worldwide; and
WHEREAS, CDH affects over 1,600 babies each year in the United States; and
WHEREAS, CDH has affected more than 700,000 babies worldwide since 2000; and
WHEREAS, CDH does not discriminate based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS, The cause of CDH is unknown; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates April 2019 as California Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature encourages that steps should be taken to: (1) raise awareness of, and increase public knowledge about, CDH; (2) inform all Californians about the dangers of CDH, especially those groups that may be disproportionately affected by CDH or that have lower survival rates; (3) disseminate information on the importance of quality neonatal care of CDH patients; (4) promote quality prenatal care and the use of ultrasounds to detect CDH in utero; and (5) support research funding of CDH to improve screening and treatment for CDH, discover the causes of CDH, and develop a cure for CDH; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature calls upon the people of California, interest groups, and affected persons to promote awareness of CDH, take an active role in the fight against this devastating birth defect, and observe California Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.