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Inguinal hernia in babies is a symptom present, especially in the first year of life. The first sign emitted by the complication in boys is the swelling in the inguinal area caused by the externalization of an intestinal region. In girls, on the other hand, there may be a lump in the ovary and tube.
Approximately every 20 babies, one can be born with an inguinal hernia, premature babies suffer more risks , and can affect up to 30% of newborns. It is a more frequent complication in boys.
The incidence of inguinal hernia in boys may be more frequent due to the formation of the testicles when the baby is still in the mother’s womb. The testicles usually pass through the abdominal wall through the inguinal canal to the scrotum.
Often, the canal that should be closed, remains open, causing the testicles to move and install in the abdominal wall. However, there are cases where the hernia is installed in the scrotal region itself.
How to Diagnose?
The diagnosis of inguinal hernia in babies is clinical. First the mother or caregiver notices a small lump in the child’s groin , similar to an olive covered by the skin. The lump appears and disappears frequently and usually does not cause pain.
At bath time or when the baby makes some kind of effort to evacuate are moments when the hernia can be visualized more easily.
In babies under one year of age, it is common to discover inguinal hernia at the time of changing diapers . With the child lying down and the limbs active, the nodule becomes more frequent, becoming visible.
What Treatment for Inguinal Hernia in Baby?
The only treatment for inguinal hernia is necessarily surgical. Surgery to treat the hernia is of low operative risk and can be performed immediately, without the need for preparation before surgery and with rapid recovery after surgery.
Are Children Who Are Not Operated At Risk? (h3)
When inguinal hernia surgery is not performed, strangulation of the herniated intestine can occur and increases the chances of morbidity. Although it is a disease with simple surgical treatment, the lack of care and surgical removal makes it dangerous.
IMPORTANT: There is no clinical treatment for the hernia. It is not recommended to use contensive dressings or slings. The only treatment approved by the medical field in all cases of hernias is surgical removal.
When Can My Child Operate the Hernia?
The only contraindications for surgery are in patients suffering from anemia, cough, runny nose, fever or dehydration . The patient can undergo surgery at different ages , such as a month (newborn) or in adolescence. It is important that the hospital has a surgical center in appropriate conditions to perform the procedure.
How is the surgery performed?
General inhalation anesthesia with local infiltration of marcaine is recommended. The substance will provide better recovery in the postoperative period and decrease the intake of painkillers. The surgery is not very invasive , which causes a quick recovery and the patient returns to routine activities.
Generally, surgery occurs through the access route and transverse incision with an average thickness of 1.5 to 2 cm, in the inguinal crease, making the scar discreet and almost imperceptible.
What is Hernial Strangulation?
This is a sign of the advanced stage of the disease. In this case, the patient must be admitted urgently and operated on as soon as possible. The boys are at serious risk of irrigating the testicles and the herniated intestinal loop. In girls, however, ovarian torsion may occur, which may affect the permanent removal and infertility.
What is Hydrocele?
It is a complication that can be confused with inguinal hernia. The hydrocele causes the scrotal sac to swell due to the accumulation of fluid. However, this symptom usually disappears over time, in some cases requiring surgical removal of the fluid.
If the child has redness in the scrotum, swelling and mild sensitivity to the doctor urgently, as there are more serious problems with these signs that usually point to testicular torsion .
If you suspect that your child has an inguinal hernia, consult a doctor immediately. Surgery is simple and avoids future complications, such as blocking blood flow in the region and permanent damage. Although it is a disease with few symptoms and easy to remove, the hernia requires care and may harm the child in the future.
See Also: Umbilical Hernia – Why Does It Occur?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.