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March 19, 2020
A Hernia is a bulge created when the intestine breaks through a weakened area in the abdominal wall into a body area where it should not normally be located. The most common hernias in babies are the inguinal and the umbilical hernias. The inguinal (groin) hernia occurs in the groin between the leg and the stomach. In male babies, the intestinal curve drops into the scrotum. The umbilical hernia occurs when the bowel falls through a pathological opening (anterior abdominal wall weakness) in the navel area. Babies are usually not born with hernias, but they may develop them later.
What is a Hernia?
A Hernia is a bulge created when the intestine breaks through a weakened area in the abdominal wall into a body area where it should not normally be located. The most common hernias in babies are the inguinal and the umbilical hernias. The inguinal (groin) hernia occurs in the groin between the leg and the stomach. In male babies, the intestinal curve drops into the scrotum. The umbilical hernia occurs when the bowel falls through a pathological opening (anterior abdominal wall weakness) in the navel area. Babies are usually not born with hernias, but they may develop them later.
Why does a baby develop a hernia?
A Hernia occurs during the baby’s development, when some cavities that should have closed – did not. In normal situations, the edges of these tissues merge and then coalesce. If they do not coalesce, they can potentially reopen, thus allowing fluids or intestinal curves to slip into that opening or a pocket. This closing process should normally finalise in the womb.
Hernias are more common in:
Smaller / prematurely born babies
Male babies
What happens when a hernia is developed and why is it bad if the hernia is strangulated?
The umbilical hernias usually withdraw on their own within the first or first two years of the baby’s life. Surgical intervention is only required if they become very large or if the bowel curve is stuck or strained inside the hernia. Groin hernias are treated surgically. When the intestinal curve gets stuck in the hernia, it begins to swell. This interrupts blood flow to the intestine, which can cause its atrophy or rupture. Also, in male babies, a swollen intestinal curve can interrupt the blood flow to a testicle located on the same side where the hernia occurred, causing damage or atrophy of the testicle.
What are the straining signs?
The inability to repress the hernia, i.e. to return the intestinal curve into the stomach
Inconsolable baby cry
Pain
The place where the hernia is located is usually painful and sensitive
Redness or bluish discoloration of the groin or scrotum
Vomiting
''A Hernia occurs during the baby's development, when some cavities that should have closed - did not. In normal situations, the edges of these tissues merge and then coalesce. If they do not coalesce, they can potentially reopen, thus allowing fluids or intestinal curves to slip into that opening or a pocket. This closing process should normally finalise in the womb.''
HYDROCELE
A Hydrocele is an accumulation of fluid in the scrotum sac (next to the testicle). If it is present at birth, it usually withdraws by itself slowly and the baby does not require a surgical intervention. However, if fluid accumulation intensifies, or if it does not start to decrease and disappear within the first six months of life, or if it is accompanied by a hernia, surgery is likely to be necessary.
