When we talk about a hernia, it means that a part of the intestine is pushed through a weakness present in the muscles located in the abdomen. When this occurs, a soft lump appears just under the skin where it is located. And when the hernia occurs in the groin area, it is known as the inguinal hernia.
Not surprisingly, when it has never happened to us, it is normal that when we think of a hernia we think of the need for rapid surgery, and that this has arisen as a consequence of exhausting sports, in addition to a lot of pain. And on many occasions, we tend to associate them with young athletes … But did you know that babies can also suffer them?
This is the case, for example, of umbilical hernias, which occur when the umbilical ring (navel) does not close correctly, which is not usually noticed or appreciated until the baby is a few weeks old, even when this defect occurs before baby is born.
However, there is also a type of hernia that can equally occur in newborns and slightly older babies, and which we commonly tend to relate to a more adult stage: inguinal hernia.
What is and what is an inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia consists of a lump that is seen or felt in the groin area, although it can also be felt in the scrotum area, especially when the child is still very young.
These types of hernias tend to occur especially in boys more frequently than in girls, and those babies born prematurely tend to have a higher risk of suffering from them. In fact, it is estimated that about a third of male babies, born less than 33 weeks gestation, could have an inguinal hernia.
In infants, indirect inguinal hernias are the most common type, which are usually present at birth. The same is not the case with direct inguinal hernias, which are quite rare in children, and are usually caused by the presence of a weakness in the abdominal wall that allows the intestines to protrude.
However, it is also true that they can develop in the first months after the birth of a baby. And, unlike what is mistakenly thought, physical effort or crying does not cause the formation of an inguinal hernia. The increased pressure in the abdomen it can cause the hernia easier to see.
What are your causes?
As the baby boy grows and develops during pregnancy, his testicles develop inside the abdomen. Then, as it evolves, they tend to move toward the scrotum, traveling along the inguinal canal. Shortly after birth, the inguinal canal closes, preventing the testicles from returning to the abdomen.
However, if this area is not closed completely, a part of the intestine can move into the canal through the weakened area of the lower wall of the abdomen, and that is when the hernia will eventually form.
In the case of indirect inguinal hernia, it occurs when the inguinal canal does not close completely during fetal development, leaving an opening where the abdominal contents can protrude.
On the other hand, in some occasions, children with an inguinal canal that has not been completely closed may also end up developing a hydrocele , which consists of an accumulation of fluid around the testicles, and which arises when the fluid drains from the abdomen into to the scrotum, causing swelling.
As we have seen, inguinal hernias tend to occur more frequently in premature babies. Although they are also common in the following cases: developmental dysplasia of the hip, cystic fibrosis, undescended testicles, problems related to the urethra and a family history of hernias when you were a baby (for example, in the case of a father or a brother).
How is it treated?
Unlike what usually happens with umbilical hernias, inguinal hernias do not tend to resolve on their own. To correct the defect, and to prevent any damage, surgery is necessary, which is usually done soon after the presence of the hernia has been found.
The latter is extremely important since the intestine can get stuck in the inguinal canal, which can cut off the normal blood supply to the intestine, increasing the risk of damage.
During surgery, using general anesthesia, the surgeon will make a small incision (cut) in the area where the hernia is located, and reposition the loop of the intestine inside the abdominal area. Then it will suture the muscles. And sometimes, a piece of mesh will be used to help strengthen the area where the muscles have been attached.
Although complications are rare, since it is possible that permanent damage to the intestine may occur as a result of lack of blood flow, or that part of the intestine becomes stuck in the abdominal muscles, it is extremely important to correct the defect from the moment in which the hernia is detected.