Childhood Hernias
NEVER ignore signs of pain or distress or any bulge in an infant or child - Hernia.org
image by: Amardeep Multispeciality Children Hospital & Research Centre
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Lumps and Bumps in Children: Abdominal and Inguinal Hernias
An umbilical hernia results from imperfect closure or weakness of the umbilical ring. These hernias are common in infants and young children and make up roughly 5% to 10% of all primary hernias. Umbilical hernias are about 10 times more common in blacks than in whites. They are more common in low birth weight infants. The sex incidence is equal.
Most umbilical hernias are sporadic and occur as isolated findings in otherwise healthy infants. Umbilical hernias occur with increased frequency in patients with Down syndrome, trisomy 13, trisomy 18, congenital hypothyroidism, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis, and cirrhosis of the liver with ascites.
Classically,…
Resources
Hernias in Children - Here's What You Need to Know
I often hear surprise from parents when a child is diagnosed with a hernia. Kids get hernias? Yes! Certain types of hernias are relatively common in children, especially in newborns and premature infants. Many, but not all hernias, may require surgery.
Inguinal & Umbilical Hernias in Infancy and Childhood (Paediatric Hernia)
A paediatric inguinal hernia can occur at any age, but the peak incidence is during infancy and early childhood with 80-90% occurring in boys.
When Your Baby Has a Hernia
My husband (a journalist) always believes he can diagnose medical issues based on the fact that he has a lot of family members who are doctors. This is not always the case. But this time he was actually right.
Carle
Indirect inguinal hernias, present at birth, are caused by mistakes during development. Direct inguinal hernias form after birth. Umbilical hernias occur when the umbilical ring doesn’t close properly. In other hernias, membranes, wall muscles, or other structures don’t form correctly or are hurt, so they slowly weaken.
Hernia Repair
There are two main ways to repair a hernia. If the hernia is “reducible,” it means that the contents of the hernia can be easily pressed back into the abdominal cavity. If the contents of a hernia cannot be pressed back in, the hernia is called “incarcerated,” or “irreducible.” When a hernia becomes incarcerated, patients show signs of irritability, including loss of appetite, changes in bowel patterns or tenderness in the area. If a hernia is incarcerated for a prolonged time, the portion of the intestine that is caught in the hernia could die. To prevent further injury to the intestine, your child’s doctor may recommend immediate surgery to reduce and repair the hernia.
How to Spot and Treat a Child’s Hernia
Children born prematurely are six times as likely to have an inguinal hernia as those born full-term.
Pediatric Hernias
Almost all groin hernias in children are indirect inguinal hernias and occur as a result of incomplete closure of the processus vaginalis. The treatment is repair by high ligation of the hernia sac, which can be done by an open or laparoscopic technique. The contralateral side can be explored by laparoscopy or left alone; open exploration is no longer indicated due to the potential risk of infertility. Umbilical hernias are common in infants but usually close with time. Surgery is indicated if the umbilical hernia is symptomatic or if the fascial defect fails to decrease in size over time.
Understanding and recognizing hernias in children
We often think about hernias as they affect adults, but it is a common condition for infants and children as well. Unlike adult hernias that are usually caused by muscle strain, children are typically born with a hernia, which is an opening in the muscle wall of the stomach or groin.
Lumps and Bumps in Children: Abdominal and Inguinal Hernias
Summary of pediatric hernias.
BabyCenter
In children, the most common hernias are inguinal hernias, which occur in the genital region, and umbilical hernias, which are found around the navel. Both of these hernias most often happen in babies.
My baby has a hernia
Hernias are caused by an opening in the muscle of the abdominal wall , allowing the intestines (bowel) to move in and out. They can occur around the belly button (umbilical hernia) or in the groin area (inguinal hernia). They are common in babies, especially premature babies. Umbilical hernias rarely require treatment but inguinal hernias need to be operated on.
Nationwide Children's
A baby can develop a hernia in the first few months of life. It happens because of a weakness in the belly muscles. Inguinal and umbilical hernias happen for slightly different reasons.
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