With the advances in surgical and neonatal treatment, the survival rates in children with CDH have been improved in the last decades. The surviving children may suffer from long-term complications such as impairments in lung growth (lung hypoplasia), cardiovascular disorders, pulmonary hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, and recurrent occurrence of lower respiratory tract infection. One of the physical therapy techniques used to treat chest disorders via encouraging the normal alignment of respiratory muscles with respiratory rhythm is chest resistance exercise through applying resistance to the sternal and coastal areas .
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a life-threatening condition with long-term complications including respiratory tract infections, respiratory muscle weakness, and abnormal lung functions. This study, therefore, has been designed to ascertain the effect of chest resistance exercise and chest expansion exercise on respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and chest mobility in children with post-operative CDH.