Goal 1.

Describe the clinical characteristics of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Goal 2.

Review the genetic causes of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Goal 3.

Provide an evaluation strategy to identify the genetic cause of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a proband (when possible).

Goal 4.

Review management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Goal 5.

Inform genetic counseling of family members of an individual with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Clinical Description

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) refers to a developmental defect of the formation of the diaphragm that, in most individuals, is evident at birth. CDH is characterized by: (1) incomplete formation/muscularization of the diaphragm resulting in absence or deficiency of the diaphragm, or (2) eventration resulting in elevation of a portion of the diaphragm that is thinned as a result of incomplete muscularization. The prevalence of CDH is estimated at 3-3.6/10,000 live births [Wang et al 2011, Wright et al 2011, Stoll et al 2015, Burgos & Frenckner 2017, Shanmugam et al 2017].

Infants with CDH often present in the neonatal period with severe respiratory distress.

Presentation after infancy, occurring in 5%-10% of affected individuals, includes respiratory distress, such as from pleural effusion due to entrapment of the bowel in the chest, or gastrointestinal distress, such as abdominal pain from chronic or intermittent intestinal obstruction. About 1% of individuals are completely asymptomatic and the defect is discovered incidentally on imaging studies [Bagłaj & Dorobisz 2005].

At least 10% of individuals reherniate following initial surgical repair; the risk is considerably greater among those whose hernia repair required a prosthetic patch.

Although CDH is classified into several types, distinction among hernias can be problematic. An anatomic depiction of the normal diaphragm is presented in Figure 1 and anatomic descriptions of diaphragmatic defects are presented in Figure 2.

Figure 1

A. Normal diaphragm (for reference) B. View of normal diaphragm from below

Figure 2.

View of diaphragmatic defects from below A. Bochdalek hernia

Posterolateral (Bochdalek) hernia of the diaphragm is often accompanied by herniation of the stomach, intestines, liver, and/or spleen into the chest cavity. An extremely large defect, or apparent absence of the hemidiaphragm, is called agenesis of the diaphragm; this defect probably represents the severe end of the Bochdalek hernia spectrum.

Posterolateral hernias comprise approximately 80%-90% of all CDH and appear to fall into two types:

• A diaphragmatic defect accompanied by an absent or extremely deficient rim of posterior and lateral musculature (see Figure 2A and 2B)
• A diaphragmatic defect with an intact rim of posterior and lateral musculature

About 85% of Bochdalek hernias occur on the left side, about 10% on the right, and approximately 5% are bilateral.

Non-posterolateral (non-Bochdalek) hernia. Anterior defects of the diaphragm can occur in the midline, on the left side, or the right side. Several distinct subtypes are described, with considerable overlap in the anatomic location.

• Morgagni (Morgagni-Larrey) hernia is an anterior retrosternal or parasternal hernia that can result in the herniation of liver or intestines into the chest cavity (see Figure 2B). Morgagni hernias comprise approximately 2% of all CDH, are generally accompanied by a hernia sac, and often do not cause symptoms in the newborn period.
• Other anterior hernias associated with pentalogy of Cantrell. These rare and severe types of hernia are found in individuals with pentalogy of Cantrell (which also includes defects in the supraumbilical midline abdominal wall, lower sternum, diaphragmatic pericardium, and heart).
• Central hernia. This hernia is a rare diaphragm defect involving the central tendinous (i.e., amuscular) portion of the diaphragm. The entire rim of diaphragmatic musculature is present (see Figure 2C).

Diaphragmatic eventration is incomplete muscularization of the diaphragm resulting in a thin membranous sheet of tissue. It is difficult to estimate the frequency of eventration because it may coexist with and/or be misdiagnosed as a Bochdalek hernia. Severe diaphragmatic eventration is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia and respiratory distress during infancy. Milder degrees of diaphragmatic eventration can present later in life with respiratory symptoms such as cough and pneumonias, or without symptoms, so that the diagnosis is made incidentally on chest radiograph. Increasingly, it is observed that eventration of the diaphragm and CDH can occur in the same individual and in different individuals with pathogenic variants in the same gene, suggesting that in some instances they share a common etiology.

Sac hernia. All hernia types can present with a sac (e.g., membranous sheet of tissue) covering the herniated abdominal contents. Animal models suggest that abnormal connective tissue, resulting in a localized amuscular region, rather than a primary defect in myogenic cells, is the embryogenetic basis of the hernia sac [Merrell et al 2015]. The presence of a sac is often reported to be associated with a better prognosis. However, because a thin and redundant membranous diaphragm resulting from an eventration defect may represent a "sac," it is probable that eventration and "sac type" CDH diagnoses are often interchanged. For this reason, it is inaccurate to assume that the prognosis is better when a sac is visualized.

CDH can occur as either an isolated or complex anomaly:

• Isolated. Observed in 50%-60% of probands; not associated with other major congenital anomalies
• Complex. Observed in 40%-50% of probands and associated with other congenital anomalies:
  • Syndromic. Some individuals with complex CDH have a readily identifiable genetic syndrome or chromosome anomaly (see Tables 1, 2, and 3). Individuals with syndromic CDH are more likely to be diagnosed prenatally, have an affected first-degree relative (10%), and have a worse prognosis. More than 50% of individuals with syndromic CDH are born preterm and have low birth weight [Shanmugam et al 2017].
  • Complex CDH not attributed to a recognized syndrome. The remaining probands with complex CDH present with associated additional malformations (e.g., craniofacial, ocular, cardiovascular, central nervous system, limb, genitourinary) but do not have a recognizable syndromic phenotype.

Establishing the Diagnosis of CDH

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are increasingly diagnosed prenatally; however, they are occasionally diagnosed in symptomatic neonates and even asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic children, teens, and adults.

Clinical Manifestations

Prognosis

Mortality. Mortality estimates range from 20% to 60% due to variation in patient populations and data collection techniques. Data from neonatal or referral centers, primarily including those with isolated left-sided Bochdalek hernia, report 80%-90% survival [Downard et al 2003]. However, population-based studies of outcome for all prenatally diagnosed individuals with CDH report mortality of at least 50%, if pregnancy terminations are included [Colvin et al 2005]. In a meta-analysis, Stege et al [2003] observed that approximately one quarter of all prenatally diagnosed fetuses were electively terminated, 3% spontaneously miscarried, and 3% were stillborn; 31% of the live-born infants died, the majority within the first 24 hours of life.

Prognostic indicators

• Whether the CDH is isolated or complex. Higher mortality occurs with complex CDH associated with a chromosome abnormality, a single-gene disorder, and/or the coexistence of major malformations. The presence of a cardiovascular malformation also indicates a worse prognosis [Cohen et al 2002].
• The size of the diaphragm defect [Lally et al 2007]
• The degree of pulmonary hypoplasia. Several methods are used to estimate the severity of pulmonary hypoplasia using imaging techniques. Prenatal estimates of lung-to-head ratio (LHR), observed/expected-total fetal lung volume (O/E-TFLV), and percent liver herniation (%LH) have been proposed as outcome predictors. The O/E-TFLV has the advantage of correcting for gestational age: LHR values increase as gestation progresses [Schaible et al 2012]. Using multivariate regression, MRI-based O/E-TFLV was shown to be an independent predictor of six-month mortality [Akinkuotu et al 2016].
• Liver herniation was associated with poorer prognosis in a large systematic review and meta-analysis of cases with prenatal detection of CDH [Mullassery et al 2010].
• The severity of pulmonary hypertension in the perinatal period. Pulmonary hypertension, which may progress to a late or chronic phase, is often not responsive to medical therapy [Kinsella et al 2005].
• Whether the hernia is right-sided, left-sided, or bilateral. Some, but not all, studies show that a right-sided hernia is associated with greater mortality than a left-sided hernia [Skari et al 2000]. Bilateral CDH always confers a high mortality. More recent studies suggest that fetuses with right-sided defects showed higher rates of adverse ultrasound predictors, but equivalent survival to left-sided defects [Sperling et al 2018].

Differential Diagnosis

Bronchogenic (foregut duplication) cysts result from abnormal budding of the ventral foregut [Knudtson & Grewal 2004]. They contain several components of the bronchi, including respiratory epithelia, mucous glands, and cartilage and may occur anywhere along the length of the trachea or esophagus. Most are diagnosed incidentally, although cysts can become infected or if large enough, can compress the esophagus and/or trachea.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a developmental abnormality of the lung resulting from abnormal cell proliferation and decreased programmed cell death of lung tissue. Abnormally formed bronchi connect to the CCAM. Type I CCAM is most common and is distinguished by relatively large cysts and mucin production. Symptoms can result when CCAMs grow in size and compress structures in the mediastinum.

Cystic teratomas are benign tumors most often found in the anterior mediastinum [Jaggers & Balsara 2004]. They consist of several differentiated cell types derived from endoderm, ectoderm, and/or mesoderm. Cystic teratomas of the mediastinum are uncommon, comprising fewer than 10% of all tumors in that region.

Neurogenic tumors are the most common lesion found in the posterior mediastinum. They are likely to be of neural crest origin; the majority are benign. Examples include: neurilemoma, neurofibroma, ganglioneuroma, pheochromocytoma, and neuroblastoma. CT and MRI are helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

Paraesophageal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach and sometimes part of the peritoneal sac containing the spleen or colon move into the chest cavity through the (normally occurring but) generally enlarged or dilated esophageal hiatus. More accurately, paraesophageal hernias are a type of hiatal hernia, in which the stomach gets "stuck" in the chest, rather than sliding back and forth between the thorax and abdomen. Approximately 5%-10% of (acquired) hernias are paraesophageal. They are rare in infancy and most commonly present in older adults.

Pulmonary agenesis refers to partial or complete absence of lung tissue that is caused by failure of lung bud development. It is often associated with additional congenital malformations.

Pulmonary sequestration results from primitive lung tissue that is not connected to the tracheobronchial tree. Sequestration may be intrapulmonary, occurring within the pleura of the normal lung, or extrapulmonary, occurring outside the normal lung within its own pleural sac. Extrapulmonary sequestration appears to arise from an accessory lung bud and often has associated anomalies, such as CDH. The most common presenting symptom is recurrent chest infections.

Chromosomal Causes of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Historically, cytogenetically detectable chromosome anomalies have been reported in approximately 10% of individuals with CDH (see Table 3). More recently with the advent of higher-resolution molecular cytogenetic technologies, additional copy number variations have been described in individuals with CDH.

Prenatal Evaluation Strategy

Medical history. CDH is commonly diagnosed prenatally by detecting the abnormal positioning of the stomach, liver, or other viscera in the fetal thorax. Polyhydramnios is frequently present. Additional congenital anomalies identified on the fetal ultrasound may direct the diagnosis to a specific cause of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Posterolateral (Bochdalek) hernias most commonly present within hours after birth with signs of pulmonary distress. Tables 1, 2, and 3 provide a list of disorders frequently associated with CDH. Specific diagnostic investigations may be warranted when one of these conditions is suspected.

Physical examination. In addition to viable pregnancies, possible outcomes of pregnancies with CDH include miscarriage, fetal death, and termination of pregnancy. If the cause of the diaphragmatic defect is unknown, a fetopsy or autopsy examination that includes photographs and skeletal radiographs may identify co-occurring anomalies. At the time of autopsy, a sample for genomic/genetic testing may be obtained.

Family history. A three-generation family history should be taken, with attention to relatives with manifestations of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and/or infants who died in the perinatal period. Documentation of relevant findings in relatives should be obtained through direct examination or review of medical records, including results of molecular genetic testing.

Postnatal Evaluation Strategy

Genetic testing should be directed by the clinical evidence garnered by the interpretation of medical history, physical examination, and family history.

Medical history. Respiratory distress is the most prominent finding in a newborn with CDH. The degree of pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension is not directly correlated with the genetic etiology of the condition; however, individuals with syndromic CDH and multiple anomalies usually have worse outcomes. Prenatal exposure to pharmacologic agents and environmental hazards (e.g., phenmetrazine, thalidomide, quinine, cadmium, lead, nitrofen) must be investigated and excluded [Stolar & Dillon 2012]. Newborns with CDH have an increased incidence of additional malformations that could assist in the differential diagnosis (see Tables 1, 2, and 3).

Physical examination. Infants with CDH should be evaluated by a clinical geneticist for other structural birth defects (e.g., craniofacial, ocular, cardiovascular, central nervous system, limb, genitourinary), as well as minor anomalies or dysmorphic features, that may suggest a specific genetic cause of CDH (see Tables 1, 2, and 3). In the absence of a specific diagnosis, permission should be sought to perform an autopsy on deceased infants with CDH, especially in the perinatal period. The autopsy should include photographs, skeletal radiographs, and a sample for molecular genetic testing. A skin biopsy for cell line development and banking in a repository could provide additional genetic material should new tests be developed in the future; however, this option may only be available within a research study.

Family history. A three-generation family history should be taken, with attention to relatives with manifestations of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and/or infants who died in the perinatal period and documentation of relevant findings through direct examination or review of medical records, including results of molecular genetic testing.

Treatment of Manifestations

Proper management of newborns with CDH must start in the delivery room; recently, investigative therapies may start in the prenatal period. A standardized protocol for neonatal management and treatment of infants with CDH was proposed by the CDH EURO Consortium Consensus [Reiss et al 2010], and more recently updated by Snoek et al [2016].

Respiratory support. Emphasis must be on preventing secondary lung injury. Newborns should be intubated immediately in the delivery room to avoid bag-mask ventilation and inflation of bowel that has herniated into the chest. Care should be taken not to induce barotrauma from bag ventilation before the neonate can be transitioned to an appropriate ventilator. In the 1990s, it was recognized that minimizing aggressive ventilation by limiting ventilator settings and/or allowing the neonate to do some of the breathing work resulted in improved outcomes. It was also recognized that infants did not need to be rushed to surgery and benefited from stabilization of respiratory and cardiovascular status prior to diaphragmatic repair. Assuring end-organ perfusion and stability instead of perfect physiologic values or immediate anatomic correction is now the standard of care [Wung et al 1995, Boloker et al 2002, Mohseni-Bod & Bohn 2007].

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) continues to be used frequently in tertiary centers as a rescue therapy for neonates with critical cardiopulmonary deterioration. Critical factors to consider before initiating ECMO are the presence of coexisting anomalies (lethal conditions in particular), gestational age, birth weight, uncontrollable bleeding or uncorrectable bleeding diathesis, intracranial hemorrhage, and outlook of medical management [Garcia et al 2014, Cairo et al 2018]. The clinical utility of ECMO in improving overall survival hinges on the selection of the population most likely to benefit [discussed in Kays 2017].

Complications of ECMO treatment include air embolism, neurologic complications (e.g., intracranial hemorrhage, infarct, and seizures), cannulation site bleeding, coagulation abnormalities including disseminated intravascular coagulation, left-to-right shunting through the patent ductus arteriosus due to rapid and dramatic decrease in pulmonary hypertension, kidney failure, systemic hypertension, and infection [Garcia et al 2014]. Due to the complex nature of treatment and the severity of possible complications, significant experience and a multidisciplinary team are required to manage individuals on ECMO.

Pulmonary hypertension. Unfortunately, therapies that have been extremely successful in treating the usual persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) have not been widely successful in attenuating CDH-associated pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure. Evidence and recommendations for the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of pulmonary hypertension are reviewed in the CDH EURO Consortium Consensus – 2015 update [Snoek et al 2016]. Since some infants respond to nitric oxide (NO) [Okuyama et al 2002], a trial of NO with careful documentation of response with echocardiography prior to continuation is warranted. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors have been used in some individuals [Mohseni-Bod & Bohn 2007, Noori et al 2007]. Other therapies that have been introduced in the acute neonatal treatment phase for CDH but are controversial include the use of surfactant and perflubron [Fauza et al 2001, Hirschl et al 2003]. Unfortunately, the lack of large randomized controlled trials makes it difficult to determine which of these treatments may be beneficial. The presence of surfactant deficiency in those with CDH may depend on the sub-population, thus making it difficult to determine whether exogenous surfactant would be efficacious in large trials [Jani et al 2009, Janssen et al 2009].

Surveillance

Since both pre- and postnatal advances in treatment have increased survival of high-risk individuals, it is important to provide close follow up and support for major complications and potential long-term morbidities. Long-term follow up for infants with CDH is ideally provided at a specialized center by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a pediatric surgeon, surgical nurse specialist, cardiologist, nutritionist, pulmonologist, and developmental pediatrician. This type of team can recognize, treat, and coordinate care for the many medical complications frequently found in long-term survivors with CDH.

Evaluation of Relatives at Risk

See Genetic Counseling for issues related to testing of at-risk relatives for genetic counseling purposes.

Therapies Under Investigation

Prenatal treatment. Treatment of severely affected infants has shifted to the prenatal period, as rescue of severe pulmonary hypoplasia is possible if done at the correct time. The discovery that laryngeal obstruction leads to lung distention from retained fluid prompted tracheal occlusion studies in animal models and in humans [Lipshutz et al 1997, Harrison et al 2003]. In one US randomized trial of fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion, the treatment group experienced a high rate of preterm delivery and did not have improved morbidity or mortality rates [Harrison et al 2003]. However, since that time, advances have been made in tracheal occlusion techniques and in predicting which fetuses would most likely die without any intervention. Currently, high-risk fetuses in Europe or in a few US centers may receive tracheal occlusion by fetal endoscopic balloon placement. The procedure is performed in the second trimester when the observed/expected lung-area to head-circumference ratios are ≤1.0. Generally, fetuses selected for this procedure have isolated CDH (as well as can be determined by prenatal imaging) without chromosome aberrations. Although the treatment remains investigational, initial survival rates in high-risk fetuses are increased [Araujo Júnior et al 2017].

Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.

Mode of Inheritance

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may occur as an isolated finding, as part of a genetic syndrome or chromosome abnormality, or as part of a complex but nonsyndromic set of findings.

Kindreds representing both syndromic and nonsyndromic CDH consistent with autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked patterns of inheritance have been reported. Some published pedigrees suggest reduced penetrance and variable expressivity in individuals with heterozygous pathogenic variants associated with autosomal dominant CDH [Yu et al 2013, Longoni et al 2015].

Risks to Family Members of a Proband With an Identified Genetic Etiology

If a proband is found to have a specific genetic disorder, syndrome, or association with CDH (see Table 1) or an inherited or de novo chromosome abnormality (see Table 3), recurrence risk depends on the mode of inheritance associated with the condition, and genetic counseling for that condition is indicated.

Empiric Risks to Family Members of a Proband Without an Identified Genetic Etiology

Isolated CDH

• The majority of individuals with isolated CDH represent simplex cases (i.e., the only affected member of the family); however, a few families are multiplex (i.e., ≥2 relatives have isolated CDH).
• The estimated risk for recurrence of isolated Bochdalek CDH in a sib is less than 2% [Pober et al 2005]. These studies primarily assessed the frequency of sibs diagnosed with CDH who were born prior to the proband (precurrence); there is no systematic or consecutive series on sib recurrence to date.

Complex CDH. Counseling for individuals with complex CDH in whom a specific genetic disorder is not recognized is problematic:

• Some cases of complex CDH are probably caused by dominant de novo pathogenic variants, and therefore pose a low recurrence risk to the sibs of the proband.
• Some are probably unrecognized syndromic conditions.
• Some may be multifactorial disorders with a low recurrence risk.
• Non-genetic causes including stochastic events, epigenetic modifications, or teratogenic/environmental exposures are possible as well.

Thus, counseling in this setting should be as for other multiple congenital anomaly disorders of unknown etiology. Specifically, the estimated recurrence risk to sibs is "low," but this estimate represents an averaging of a negligible, or very low, recurrence risk in the majority of families together with a higher recurrence risk (as high as 25%-50%) in the minority of families.

Related Genetic Counseling Issues

Offspring of a proband. A growing number of CDH survivors are reaching their reproductive years due to improved surgical techniques and medical management. At this time, no studies have been conducted to interrogate systematically the recurrence risk in this population. However, in theory, the risk of having a child with CDH could be as high as 50% in an individual with a de novo pathogenic variant or an inherited autosomal dominant pathogenic variant, assuming complete penetrance.

Variable expressivity. The relationship between Bochdalek hernias and muscle migration defects (eventrations) is unknown, but they may be related entities. Both abnormalities have been reported as occurring in different members of the same family and in the same individual, as reported in Ackerman et al [2005] and in individuals with pathogenic variants in the same gene [Jordan et al 2018].

Among multiplex families with CDH, concordance is extremely high among affected relatives both for the specific type and the side of the diaphragm defect, although the size of the defect can vary. Very occasionally, one affected sib has unilateral CDH while a second affected sib has bilateral CDH, or one sib has an eventration while a second has a diaphragmatic hernia. Also, occasionally, one sib has CDH only while a second affected sib has CDH plus another common birth defect such as a cardiovascular malformation or polydactyly. Whether these latter cases represent differing manifestations of a monogenic condition influenced by genetic modifiers, environmental modifiers, or stochastic fluctuations, or even multifactorial inheritance is not yet known.

Discordant monozygotic twins. Most monozygotic twin pairs in consecutive series are discordant (i.e., one member of the twin pair has CDH while the other twin does not) [Pober et al 2005, Veenma et al 2012, Wang et al 2019]. The reason for such high rates of phenotype discordance is presently unknown and a variety of mechanisms, both genetic and non-genetic, could account for these findings. Small cohort studies in discordant monozygotic twins showed no evidence of pathogenic copy number variant discordance [Veenma et al 2012] or sequence variant discordance [Zhang et al 2016].

Prenatal Testing and Preimplantation Genetic Testing

Low-risk pregnancies (i.e., those without a known family history of CDH). The majority of probands with CDH are diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound examination, which demonstrates herniated viscera with or without liver in the fetal thorax, absence of the normal position of the stomach bubble below the diaphragm, and mediastinal shift [Stege et al 2003, Tonks et al 2004]. Although not specific for CDH, polyhydramnios is often detected [Witters et al 2001].

When CDH is found on routine prenatal ultrasound examination, both a high-resolution ultrasound examination and fetal MRI to determine the presence of additional structural anomalies are indicated. Chromosome analysis of fetal cells obtained by amniocentesis should be considered in all pregnancies while CMA should strongly be considered when CDH is present in conjunction with additional anomalies. (See Evaluation Strategies to Identify the Genetic Cause of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a Proband for additional details.)

All fetuses with CDH should be evaluated for the presence of syndromes and/or additional major malformations given that they so commonly coexist and significantly affect the prognosis. Involvement of a clinical geneticist in the evaluation of these families can be helpful. The measurement of either the expected/observed LHR or the lung volume by fetal MRI have been useful to predict outcome; however, since the predictive value of these measurements varies from center to center, results must be interpreted with caution.

High-risk pregnancies (i.e., those with a family history of CDH). Consultation in a high-risk obstetric center should be offered.

If the genetic cause of CDH has been identified in an affected family member, prenatal testing and preimplantation genetic testing are possible. Counseling should include a discussion of possible reduced penetrance in autosomal dominant forms of CDH [Yu et al 2013, Longoni et al 2015].

Author History

Kate Guernsey Ackerman, MD; University of Rochester (2006-2019)
Frances A High, MD, PhD (2019-present)
Mauro Longoni, MD (2019-present)
Barbara R Pober, MD (2006-present)
Meaghan K Russell, MPH; MassGeneral Hospital for Children (2006-2019)

Revision History

• 5 November 2020 (aa/sw) Revision: added PIGN-related Fryns syndrome; removed MCAHS (not associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia)
• 28 March 2019 (sw) Comprehensive update posted live
• 16 March 2010 (me) Comprehensive update posted live
• 1 February 2006 (me) Review posted live
• 6 June 2005 (brp) Original submission

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