Does your baby have an inguinal hernia? Let's talk about this in detail!

Have you ever noticed a small lump or swelling in your baby's groin, where the belly and thighs meet? Sometimes it appears when the baby cries, coughs, or feels heavy in the stomach, and then disappears. Seeing this can be very scary and worrying for you as a mother or father. It's normal to think, "Oh, what's wrong with my baby?" So, today we'll talk about what causes this, is it dangerous, and what to do if it happens.

What is an Inguinal Hernia?

Simply put, an inguinal hernia is a type of hernia that develops in your baby's groin. "Inguinal" means groin. The groin is the area between your baby's belly (abdomen) and thighs.

An inguinal hernia occurs when part of your baby's intestine pushes through a weak spot in their abdominal wall, through the inguinal canal . This inguinal canal is a small, culvert-like passageway that runs from your baby's abdomen to their genitals.

Normally, the inguinal canal closes completely before the baby is born. But sometimes it doesn't close completely. When that happens, a small hole is left there. That hole is where a piece of the baby's intestine can come out. Then you may notice or feel an unusual swelling or lump in the baby's groin, or in the scrotum if the baby is a boy. You may only notice this swelling when the baby cries, coughs, or tries to defecate.

Most of the time, this inguinal hernia occurs on only one side of the groin. It is more common on the right side than the left. However, in about 10% of cases, this hernia can occur on both sides of the groin.

Who is most likely to get this?

This condition called inguinal hernia can occur not only in infants, older children, but also in adults. However, among children, it is most common in children under the age of 6. 90% of newborns develop this hernia in boys. Also, premature infants are more likely to develop this inguinal hernia.

How common is this condition?

Between 1% and 5% of healthy, full-term male babies develop an inguinal hernia. But as many as 30% of premature babies can be born with this hernia. So if your baby has it, remember that you're not alone.

Can this hernia be dangerous?

Yes, sometimes this can be dangerous. If your baby has an inguinal hernia, it may require a simple surgery to fix it. If left untreated, it can rarely lead to serious complications . Let's take a look at what they are:

• Incarcerated hernia: This is when the part of the intestine inside the hernia becomes trapped. Think of it like a tube that gets stuck in the middle when you're draining water. When this happens, even the doctor can't push the hernia back into the abdomen. This is a serious condition, as it can lead to the next most dangerous condition.
• Strangulated hernia : When a hernia is strangulated, the worst thing that can happen is this. This is when the blood supply to the area of ​​the intestine that is strangulated is completely cut off. Imagine what happens if blood is cut off to any part of our body? That part starts to die. Similarly, if the intestine is cut off from blood, the tissue in that part can die (tissue death). This is a very serious, painful condition that requires emergency medical attention . It can be life-threatening.

Important: A strangulated hernia or a hernia with a cut off of blood supply to the intestine is a medical emergency! Therefore, it is very important to have a good understanding of the symptoms.

What are the symptoms of this?

If your baby has an inguinal hernia, the main symptom is a swelling under the skin in the groin or scrotum. This may look like a small lump.

• This can get bigger after the baby cries, coughs, or sneezes.
• This swelling sometimes comes and goes. That is, sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not.
• This may shrink or disappear completely when the baby is relaxed or sleeping.
• This swelling can be on one side of the groin or on both sides.

Other symptoms may include:

• Pain and discomfort that subsides with some rest.
• Feeling of heaviness or pressure in the groin area.
• Swelling of the testicles in boys.
• A burning sensation at the site of the swelling.
• For small babies, things like not wanting to eat, crying constantly, and restlessness .

However, if your baby has an incarcerated hernia or a strangulated hernia , it is a medical emergency. If any of the following symptoms are present, you should take your baby to a doctor immediately:

• Very severe pain or unbearable pain when pressed.
• The area of ​​swelling will appear red, dark, and possibly blue/purple (a bruised appearance).
• I don't eat food at all, I don't drink milk.
• Fever.
• Nausea and vomiting (especially if the vomit is green or yellow).
• Blood in the stool (`Bloody poop`) or having a full stomach without passing stool.

Why do young children get this hernia?

To understand why, you need to know a little about how a baby develops in the womb. Every baby is born with a tunnel-like opening called the inguinal canal . This leads from the baby's belly to the genital area.

In a male baby, his testicles first develop inside the womb. Then, during fetal development, these testicles descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum.

Normally, this inguinal canal closes completely before the baby is born. However, as mentioned earlier, sometimes it doesn't close properly. Then a small opening is left from the abdomen into the inguinal canal. That opening is where part of the baby's intestine comes down and forms a hernia.

Girls are less likely to develop inguinal hernias, but they can also develop them. This is because girls also have an inguinal canal. An inguinal hernia in a girl can involve part of her reproductive system, such as an ovary.

How does a doctor recognize this?

A doctor can usually diagnose an inguinal hernia by doing a physical examination of the baby. The doctor will look for the following:

• When the baby cries or cries, is there any swelling in the groin or scrotum?
• They also check to see if the swelling goes away or shrinks when the baby is relaxed.
• If the child is a little older, the doctor may ask the child to stand or cough to see if there is any swelling.
• The doctor may also try to squeeze the hernia by hand and push it back into the abdomen (don't try to do this at home).

Very rarely, an ultrasound may be done to confirm the diagnosis or check for other problems.

What are the treatments for this?

If your baby has an inguinal hernia, surgery is required to repair it. This hernia will not heal on its own. Surgery is the only and permanent treatment.

This surgery usually takes less than an hour. Most of the time, it is an outpatient procedure . This means that you can take your baby home the same day as the surgery.

Before surgery

An anesthesiologist will give your baby general anesthesia . An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in controlling pain and keeping the patient safe during surgery. When a baby is given general anesthesia, the baby's muscles relax and the baby falls asleep. The baby will not feel any pain during the surgery.

During surgery

The surgeon makes a small cut (incision) in the baby's groin. This cut is usually about 1-2 centimeters. The herniated part of the intestine is then carefully placed back into the abdomen. Next, the opening in the inguinal canal is sewn shut to prevent the hernia from coming back. The baby's incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches and small pieces of waterproof tape or dressing.

After the surgery

A few hours after surgery, when your baby is drinking fluids well, and the medical team is satisfied, you may be able to take your baby home. However, if your baby was born prematurely or has other medical conditions, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation.

How to take care of the baby after the operation?

After the surgery, the baby may have some pain and discomfort. This is normal. The pain will subside in about a week or two. The doctor may prescribe pain medications , such as paracetamol. Give them as needed.

• Wrapping: You can sponge bathe your baby from the day after surgery. However, do not bathe him in a basin for two or three days, as it is not good to get the wound wet. The doctor will tell you when you can bathe properly.
• Wound: The small pieces of tape that are covering your baby's incisions will gradually come off on their own. Do not pull them off by hand. If they do not come off on their own, the doctor will remove them at a follow-up appointment in about ten weeks.
• Activities: Let the baby play normally. If they are in pain, they will stop. If it is an older child, ask them to stop playing for a few days.

When will the baby be able to be normal?

The baby can return to a normal diet as quickly and easily as possible. Other normal activities can be resumed in about a week or two. Younger babies recover in a few days.

Is there a way to prevent this hernia from forming?

Unfortunately, if your baby is born with an opening in the inguinal canal, a hernia can develop at any time. There is no way to prevent this hernia from developing. This is no one's fault.

When should you see a doctor again?

It's normal for your baby to have some swelling and tenderness around the incision after surgery. This may last for a few weeks. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms , call your doctor or take them to the hospital immediately:

• If the baby is unable to pee for 6-8 hours.
• Fewer wet diapers than usual.
• If the fever is higher than 100.4°F (38°C).
• If the swelling around the incision increases excessively, or if there is a lot of redness.
• If the area around the incision is red, warm, and pus-like discharge is present.
• If the cut continues to bleed.
• If the pain is getting worse and worse and cannot be controlled even with paracetamol.
• If you vomit repeatedly.

What is the difference between an Inguinal Hernia and an Umbilical Hernia?

These are both types of hernias, but the location and treatment are different.

• An umbilical hernia is a hernia that develops near the baby's navel. This is when fatty tissue or a piece of intestine protrudes through a hole in the abdominal wall near the navel. An umbilical hernia sometimes heals on its own within a year or two. Surgery is rarely needed.
• An inguinal hernia occurs near the groin. It definitely requires surgery, as it will not heal on its own.

What is the difference between an inguinal hernia and a hydrocele?

Parents may sometimes be confused by both of these because they are swellings that can be seen around the testicles of male children.

• A hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac in a baby's groin or scrotum. A hydrocele looks like an inguinal hernia. But there is no tissue inside the hydrocele, only fluid. About 1 in 10 newborn boys have a hydrocele. Most of the time, these will go away on their own within the first year. If your baby has a hydrocele, and it isn't painful, surgery isn't necessary right away.
• In an inguinal hernia , part of the intestine may have come into that sac. Baby girls don't get hydroceles, but they can get hernias.

Finally, things to remember

When you find out that your newborn baby has an inguinal hernia, you may feel a lot of anxiety and fear. It's very normal. "What happened to my little one?" is a feeling that parents often feel. But remember, inguinal hernias are very common in babies and children.

If you notice a lump in your baby's groin, don't ignore it, take your baby to the doctor right away. Inguinal hernias can be scary to hear and see, but they are a common diagnosis and can be easily treated. Yes, your baby will need surgery to fix the problem. But it's usually a simple, quick procedure. You should be able to see your baby running around and playing again in a few days or weeks.

So don't panic unnecessarily, but the most important thing is to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical advice on time. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Then your baby will recover quickly!

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