Inguinal Hernia in Children – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

During childhood it is common for some children to appear with nodules in the groin area. This nodule can be an inguinal hernia , and its appearance is more common among children than in adults, because of every 20 children who are born, at least one will be predisposed to have this type of hernia, especially boys and premature infants.

What is Inguinal Hernia?

The inguinal hernia is a soft-shaped protrusion located in the groin as a result of an unusual opening in the abdominal wall. The musculature of the wall of the abdomen is fragile and the hernia pushes the intestine which in turn puts pressure on the wall of the abdomen, thus causing its displacement to the inguinal canal.

The inguinal hernia is located in the groin as a nodule, as has already been said, and in this region there is a certain protuberance, especially if the child stands or makes some physical effort.

Its appearance is more common among children due to malformation, which is why it is important and essential for mothers to be attentive to anything that appears in the little ones. Looking for a doctor is the first thing to do when you notice something strange in the bodies of the little ones.

IMPORTANT: During diaper changes, baths and other care for children, inguinal hernia is easily visualized, so parents should always be aware of signs on the child’s body.

Causes of Inguinal Hernia in Children

During pregnancy the baby’s intestine is not formed and developed within it. Until the first three months of a woman’s pregnancy, the baby’s intestine is developed individually, that is, outside her body, and only afterwards does the body itself manage to put it inside.

In boys, in addition to this fact about the intestine, testicles are formed inside the abdomen. It is through the inguinal canal that the testicles descend after they are developed. For this reason, the appearance of inguinal hernia in them is more frequent, as the testicles develop until the seventh month during pregnancy, and right after the baby is born, the inguinal canal through which the testicles passed is closed, leaving only a small opening for the spermatic cord passes, this hole is called the inguinal ring.

However, what ends up causing the inguinal hernia to appear is the inadequate opening that appears in the muscular wall of the abdomen, since the inguinal canal of the abdominal wall is very fragile. This opening that is responsible for the appearance of this hernia, as it allows part of the intestine to pass through it, thus forming a nodule of soft consistency in the groin region.

In girls, however, it is the round ligament that passes through this channel, the appearance of this hernia in them may not be as common as in boys , but that does not mean that they are exempt from not having them as well.

The inguinal canal does not close properly in some cases, as the area around the inguinal ring is vulnerable. With that part of the intestine finds passage and lodges in the groin , and in some cases more selective, in the case of boys, the inguinal hernia may appear in the scrotum itself.

Types of Inguinal Hernia

There are two types of inguinal hernias that occur most: indirect inguinal hernia and direct inguinal hernia. However it will depend on its size, the inguinal hernia in children can cause, besides discomfort, serious complications in children. Usually when pushed with the finger the inguinal hernia returns to the abdomen region or even when the child lies down.

However, it is important to be aware of these signs, because even if you do this and the hernia is still irreducible, this means that it may be an inguinal hernia that is incarcerated or strangled.

Indirect Inguinal Hernia

Indirect inguinal hernia is more common among men, especially in babies and those born prematurely. And what ends up causing the inguinal hernia to appear is the passage of the intestinal loop into the scrotal sac, through the hernial ring that finds an opening due to a weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Direct Inguinal Hernia

The direct inguinal hernia forms on the weakened abdominal wall itself and only appears in people of the male sex, this hernia appears throughout life. Through the opening (irregular) in the abdomen wall, part of the intestine that finds passage through this hole is lodged in the scrotum. Inguinal hernia is a simple case to be treated and its only treatment is surgery, which is generally quite effective.

Incarcerated Hernia

An incarcerated hernia occurs when a fragment of the intestine or the fat inside the abdomen becomes irreducible, that is, it does not move and gets stuck in the groin even if the doctor tries to push it back.

Strangulated Hernia

As for strangled hernia , in addition to part of the intestine not returning to the place because it is immobile, the tissue in that region may be compromised, which may cause irreversible damage. Because the blood is blocked and cannot reach the place, as a consequence the blood can gangrene affecting the tissue of that region which, if it is not already dead, may be just a matter of time for this to occur.

That is why, in these last two cases , urgent surgery is required to remove the inguinal hernia, and especially if the complications reach the latter, the strangulated hernia, which is even more serious.

Therefore, if you suspect that your child has an inguinal hernia, and this hernia is in the conditions mentioned above, it is important that you do not hesitate at any time to see a pediatrician. The child’s life may be at serious risk if nothing is done.

Symptoms

It is important that mothers pay close attention to some symptoms that can be seen in children with suspected inguinal hernia:

  • Soft consistency protrusion in the inguinal region;
  • It becomes visible when coughing, crying, gaining weight, straining when evacuating, or any other physical effort;
  • Pain and discomfort in the region, especially when making some effort;
  • Feeling of weakness or pressure in the groin

So when you notice a protruding lump in the child’s groin, immediately look for a pediatrician, as it may be an inguinal hernia. The only effective treatment is through surgical intervention.

However, depending on the case, this surgery should not be delayed, especially if it is an inguinal hernia that is incarcerated or strangled, as it may cause irreversible damage and compromise the muscular tissue of the region. Therefore, as soon as it is diagnosed, surgery should be scheduled immediately for its removal and the child’s well-being.

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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.

Dr. Alexis Hart

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.

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