Symptoms of Hernia in Children
Dec 20, 2019
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shi Jizhou
Introduction
Hernias in children occurring at the umbilical region are termed umbilical hernias, whereas those occurring in the inguinal region are almost always indirect inguinal hernias. An umbilical hernia results from failure of closure of the umbilical ring, presenting as a palpable and visible bulge at the umbilicus. An indirect inguinal hernia clinically manifests as a protruding mass in the inguinal region that becomes apparent during crying, straining during defecation, or physical activity, and typically reduces (decreases in size and disappears) when the child lies supine.
Pediatric hernia refers to the protrusion of intestinal loops from the abdominal cavity through a defect or opening in the abdominal wall into an area outside the abdominal cavity. When this occurs at the umbilicus, it is termed an umbilical hernia; when it occurs in the inguinal region, it is almost always an indirect (oblique) inguinal hernia.
Umbilical hernia results from incomplete closure of the umbilical ring and manifests as a palpable and visible bulge at the umbilicus. Clinically, indirect inguinal hernia presents as a bulge in the inguinal region that becomes prominent during crying, straining during defecation, or physical activity, and typically reduces (diminishes or disappears) spontaneously when the child lies supine.
If the hernia sac progressively enlarges, it may descend into the scrotum. In cases of incarcerated hernia, the swelling becomes firm and tender, accompanied by vomiting, irritability, localized pain upon palpation, and difficulty in reducing the hernia.
