Inguinal-hernia-treatment-for-children

Inguinal Hernia in Babies

Inguinal hernias in babies and children are hernias that occur in the groin area. A hernia occurs when your intestines bulge through your abdominal wall. The main symptom of an inguinal hernia in your child is a bulge you can see under the skin in their groin or scrotum. Your child will need surgery to correct an inguinal hernia.

An inguinal hernia in an infant is a hernia that occurs in the groin. Inguinal means groin. The groin is the area between your child’s belly (abdomen) and thighs.

An inguinal hernia occurs when part of your child’s intestine pushes through an opening in their abdominal wall through their inguinal canal. The inguinal canal extends from your baby’s abdomen to their genitals.

The inguinal canal is supposed to close before birth, but sometimes it doesn’t close all the way. This leaves a hole for your child’s intestine to slide through. You can see and feel an abnormal bulge or mass in your child’s groin or scrotum. You may only notice the bulge when your child is crying, coughing or straining.

Inguinal hernias usually only develop on one side of your child’s groin. They develop on the right side more often than on the left side. About 10% of the time, inguinal hernias develop on both sides of the groin.

Dr Naveed Haider

What causes an inguinal hernia in babies?

All babies are born with a tunnel-like passage called the inguinal canal. The inguinal canal extends from your baby’s belly (abdomen) to their genitals. During fetal development, a baby boy’s testicles form inside his abdomen. Then his testicles move through the inguinal canal into his scrotum.

Normally, the inguinal canal closes before birth. But sometimes, it doesn’t close all the way. This leaves an opening from your baby’s belly into the inguinal canal. When this happens, your baby’s intestines can slide through the opening, causing a hernia.

Inguinal hernias are rare in female babies, but they can occur. Female children have inguinal canals too. Inguinal hernias in baby girls may contain part of their reproductive system, such as an ovary.

1.Diagnosis and Tests

How is an inguinal hernia diagnosed?

Diagnosing Inguinal Hernias in Children:

Most of the time, a doctor can diagnose a hernia with a simple physical exam. Here's what to expect:

Examining for Bulges: The doctor will look for a bulge in your child's groin or scrotum, especially when they're crying, straining, coughing, or standing (if old enough). They'll check if the bulge disappears when your child is relaxed.
Feeling the Hernia: In some cases, the doctor might gently push the bulge back into place to confirm it's a hernia.
Ultrasound (Rarely): If the diagnosis is unclear or there's a concern about a different issue, the doctor might order an ultrasound for a clearer picture.

2.What is the treatment for an inguinal hernia in babies?

Your child will need surgery to fix an inguinal hernia. The surgery usually takes less than an hour and is typically an outpatient procedure. This means your child can go home the same day as the procedure.

Before surgery

An anesthesiologist will give your child general anesthesia. An anesthesiologist is a physician who specializes in pain relief. General anesthesia relaxes your child's muscles and puts them to sleep. Your child will not feel pain during the surgery.

During surgery

Your child’s surgeon will make a small cut (incision) in the skin of your child’s groin. They’ll push the contents of the hernia back into your child’s abdomen. Then they’ll close the opening in the inguinal canal to prevent another hernia. Small strips of tape will cover and close your child's incisions.

After surgery

Your child should be able to go home a few hours after surgery. If your child was premature or has certain medical conditions, they may need to spend the night in the hospital for observation.

Your child’s healthcare provider will schedule a follow-up appointment for seven to 10 days after your child's surgery. They’ll want to assess your child's incision and make sure your child is making a full recovery.

3.what is the best way to take care of child after treatment?

What to expect after your child's surgery:

Pain: It's normal for your child to have some soreness after surgery. This should improve within a week or two. The doctor may prescribe medication to help manage any discomfort.
Bathing: You can give your child a sponge bath starting the day after surgery. Hold off on tub baths for another two to three days to allow the incision to heal properly.
Incision care: The small pieces of tape on your child's incision will naturally fall off over time. Don't try to remove them yourself. If they're still on at the follow-up appointment, the doctor will take them off.
Preventing Inguinal Hernias
Unfortunately, there's no known way to prevent an inguinal hernia in babies. This is because the condition often arises from an opening in the abdominal wall that's present at birth.

4. Living With

Prognosis for Inguinal Hernias in Children

The Good News:

Inguinal hernias are very common in babies and children.
Surgery to repair the hernia is a quick and safe procedure, typically performed on an outpatient basis, allowing your child to go home the same day.
Recovery is fast, with most children resuming normal eating habits right away and returning to other activities within one to two weeks.

What to Watch For:

While some minor swelling around the incision for a few weeks is normal, call your child's healthcare provider if you see:

Difficulty urinating (peeing) or fewer wet diapers than usual.
Fever above 100.4°F (38°C).
Increased swelling, redness, or bleeding around the incision site.
Worsening pain, vomiting, or any other concerning symptoms.

Additional Information:

Umbilical Hernias vs. Inguinal Hernias: Unlike inguinal hernias, umbilical hernias (occurring near the belly button) can sometimes heal on their own.
Dr Naveed Haider