Hernia is often indicated by a lump in the groin or navel area. This disease can not only attack adults but also children. Hernia in children can even develop since the early months of life.
Treatment for hernias in children varies depending on age and the symptoms seen.
Therefore, getting a diagnosis as soon as possible can speed up the child getting appropriate treatment.
What is a Hernia in Children?
Quoted from KidsHealth , a hernia occurs when part of an organ or tissue in the body (such as a loop of intestine) pushes through a hole or weak spot in the muscle wall.
This pressure usually occurs in a space where it does not belong. This causes a lump to form.
In children, hernias often occur in one of these places:
- Groin area. This is called an inguinal hernia.
- Around the navel. This is called an umbilical hernia.
Types of Hernias in Children
In general, there are two types of hernia in children, namely:
Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal means groin, hence this type of hernia occurs in that area. The groin is the area between the abdomen and thigh.
An inguinal hernia occurs when part of your child’s intestines push through an opening in the abdominal wall through the inguinal canal. The inguinal canal extends from your baby’s abdomen to his or her genitals.
The inguinal canal is supposed to close before birth, but sometimes it doesn’t close completely and leaves a hole through which your baby’s intestines can push through.
If this type of hernia occurs in a child, you may see and feel an abnormal bulge or mass in the child’s groin or scrotum.
Under normal circumstances, this bulge may not be so clearly visible. Therefore, Parents may only be able to see the bulge when your child cries, coughs or strains. Try to pay attention at these times.
Inguinal hernias usually develop on only one side of a child’s groin. They are more likely to develop on the right side than on the left. In about 10% of cases of hernias in children, the condition can develop on both sides of the groin.
Umbilical Hernia
An umbilical hernia is a hernia that occurs near a child’s belly button. Fatty tissue or part of their intestine pushes through the opening in the abdominal wall.
These hernias are not painful and most do not cause problems.
Most umbilical hernias close on their own by the time a child is 4 or 5 years old. If the hernia doesn’t go away by then or is causing problems, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Symptoms of Hernia in Children
Hernias are common in newborns. But you may not notice a hernia for weeks or months after birth. Here are some symptoms that may appear in a child who has a hernia:
The appearance of lumps
One of the symptoms that definitely appears in children with hernia is the presence of a lump or swelling.
If the swelling occurs in the groin or scrotum, then the child has an inguinal hernia. While if the bulge occurs in the navel area, then the child has an umbilical hernia.
In both cases, the swelling may be easier to see when your baby cries, coughs, or strains to have a bowel movement. It may get smaller or disappear when your baby is relaxed.
If the health care provider gently pushes on the lump while the child is calm and lying down, the lump will usually get smaller or may return to the abdomen.
But in some cases, the hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdomen. Then the loop of intestine may get stuck in a weak spot in the abdominal muscles.
Pain in the Stomach Area
Your child may feel pain in the abdominal area, especially if he or she has an umbilical hernia.
Try to see if there is a lump in the area when the child complains of stomach ache. Consult a doctor immediately for a clearer diagnosis.
Pressure in the Scrotum or Groin Area
If a child has an inguinal hernia, he will feel heavy in his scrotum area. In toddlers, he may not be able to express clearly what he feels.
Looking restless and uncomfortable could be a sign that he is showing.
Burning Sensation On Lump
When a lump is seen on the child’s body, another sign that may appear is a feeling of heat in the area. Try to communicate with him to find out what he feels.
Loss of Appetite
Another symptom that may appear in children with hernia is loss of appetite. The pain and discomfort that he feels can be the cause. In addition, the child will also be more fussy than usual.
Causes of Hernia in Children
Children can develop hernias even as babies. This occurs due to weakness in the abdominal muscles. Inguinal and umbilical hernias occur for slightly different reasons.
During pregnancy, all babies have an area called the inguinal canal. It runs from the abdomen to the genitals. In boys, this canal allows the testicles to move from the abdomen to the scrotum, the sac that holds the testicles.
Normally, a baby’s inguinal canal closes shortly before or after birth. But in some cases the canal does not close completely.
Then the loop of intestine can move into the inguinal canal through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. This causes an inguinal hernia. Most inguinal hernias occur in boys.
As the unborn baby develops during pregnancy, there is a small opening in the abdominal muscle. After birth, this opening closes.
But sometimes, these muscles don’t close completely, leaving a small hole. A loop of intestine can then move through the hole between the abdominal muscles. This causes an umbilical hernia.
Children at Risk of Suffering Hernias
There are several conditions in children that increase the risk of suffering from a hernia.
Children with 1 or more of these risk factors are more likely to have a hernia than those who have none. Here are the risk factors:
- Born early or premature
- Having a parent or sibling who had a hernia as a baby
- Have cystic fibrosis
- Having developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition present at birth
- Undescended testicles (for boys), this means the testicles do not move into the scrotum before birth.
- Having problems with the urinary tract or reproductive organs
Diagnosis
Parents , your doctor can diagnose a hernia by performing a physical examination on your child.
He or she will then see if the herniated lump can be gently pushed back into the abdomen. This is called a reducible hernia.
Next, your doctor may perform an abdominal X-ray or ultrasound to examine your intestines more closely. This will likely be done if the hernia cannot be pushed back into your abdomen.
Possible Complications
Sometimes the loop of bowel that is pushing on the hernia can get stuck. If this happens, the lump can no longer be pushed or reduced.
If left untreated, blood supply to part of the intestine can be blocked and is considered a medical emergency.
Treatment of Hernia in Children
To treat a child with a hernia requires surgery. The surgery usually takes less than an hour and is an outpatient procedure. This means your child can go home the same day.
The procedure begins with the anesthesiologist administering general anesthesia to the child. General anesthesia is used to relax the child’s muscles and make them fall asleep, so they will not feel pain during the surgery.
Next, the surgeon will make a small incision in the skin of the child’s groin. He or she will push the contents of the hernia back into the abdomen.
Then the hole in the inguinal canal will be closed to prevent another hernia. Small pieces of tape will cover and close your child’s incision.
Your child can then go home a few hours after the surgery. If your child is premature or has certain medical conditions, they may need to stay in the hospital for further observation.
Don’t forget to continue to carry out checks according to what has been determined by the doctor, Parents.
Hernia Treatment in Children
To determine the right treatment, the doctor will determine based on the following:
- Child age
- Overall health
- Medical history
- Types of hernia
- Whether the hernia can be reduced (can be pushed back into the abdominal cavity) or not
- Your child’s tolerance for certain medications, procedures, or therapies
Surgery is needed to treat inguinal hernia. If the child has undergone surgery, he/she still needs intensive care from parents at home.
Your child may experience some pain or discomfort after surgery. The pain should subside within one to two weeks.
Your doctor may prescribe pain medication after the procedure. Here are some things you can do at home after surgery:
- You can give your child a sponge bath the day after surgery. But do not give your child a bathtub bath for two to three days after surgery.
- Do not pull off the tape attached to the surgical scar, let it fall off by itself.
- If the strip does not fall off on its own, have your doctor remove it at your post-operative follow-up appointment.
Can Hernias in Children Be Prevented?
Unfortunately, hernias in children cannot be prevented. If a child is born with a hole in their inguinal canal, a hernia can develop at any time. There is no way to prevent it from developing.
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That is the information that Parents can know about hernia in children, from symptoms to how to treat it. Hopefully Parents and their children are always healthy.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
