Unrecognised diaphragmatic hernia in a refugee child: an incidental diagnosis

A 4-year-old boy from Syria was evaluated at the emergency department because of an upper airway viral illness. His physical examination showed a significant intensity reduction of all heart sounds in the absence of any other pathological signs. As the child was affected with Down's syndrome and had suffered thoracic and abdominal trauma because of bombardments, a diaphragmatic hernia was immediately suspected and was confirmed through a simple chest X-ray. A careful clinical examination is crucial in refugee children and adolescents, as several medical and surgical disorders could have escaped previously.