Hernia in children (childhood inguinal hernia)

The child's hernia is different from the acquired congenital inguinal hernia in adult life, mostly. A hernia occurs in approximately 0.8 to 4.4 percent of all newborns, premature infants are 16 to 25 percent affected. Boy suffered a child's hernia is four to five times more often than girls. In 60 percent of cases, the break is on the right side, at about 15 percent there is a double-sided hernia.

What is the cause of the child's hernia?

The cause of the child's hernia is usually a congenital opening in the abdominal wall. The so-called "vaginal skin appendage," a protrusion of the abdominal wall closes, usually in the course of development. In some cases there is not the closure, which in turn brings in some children for inguinal hernia.

Factors that favor one child's hernia are:

    Premature birth
    Malformations of the urinary and genital organs, such as undescended testicles or Blasenextrophie
    Increase in pressure within the abdomen, for example caused by an umbilical hernia
    Chronic respiratory problems, leading to a lack of oxygen and an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood (respiratory insufficiency)
    Defects of the connective tissue


As it turns out the child's hernia?

The child's hernia manifested by a swelling in the groin. The swelling may be painless and transient, but also lead to chronic pain. In these cases are usually trapped viscera and can no longer through the gap in the abdominal wall, the broken gate, back off.

The size of the swelling in boys ranging from pea size up to an extent over the groin to the scrotum. In girls, it usually takes a pea-sized bulge in the groin, which can be moved easily.

As the child is diagnosed with a hernia?

First, the medical history of the child is picked up by the physician (medical history). Therefore, parents are interviewed, but also a pediatrician and a midwife can provide important information. Afterwards, the doctor by scanning the groin region to determine whether a fracture is present. If this can not be determined by sampling without doubt, an ultrasound examination (sonography) is performed.

As the child's hernia treated?

A child's hernia needs surgery in the rule. When jamming the doctor in the first hours after the hernia may try to push back the bulges and postpone surgery for a short time. If this fails or if the hernia back for too long, the operation should take place as soon as possible.

How does the child's hernia?

When jamming of the intestine can lead to severe persistent pain. This can be manifested by prolonged crying of the child with nausea and vomiting. The swelling in the groin may also harden and become discolored.

From the age of six months in uncomplicated cases, the surgery can be performed as an outpatient. In children under six months and when it came to complications during surgery, a short inpatient hospital stay after surgery is useful. For example, parts of the gut die due to strangulation and must be removed. Surgery-related complications are very rare.
Can you prevent a child's hernia?

As the child's hernia is congenital in most cases, there is no way to prevent. Suspected of having a child-like hernia, it is important to let the child be medically examined as soon as possible to reduce the risk of possible consequences of incarceration, such as the death of intestinal parts are lagging behind.