Treating Hernias in Children

Dr. Steve Megison, chief of Trauma, Children's Medical Center, professor of Pediatric Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Symptoms can mimic other conditions so diagnosis is paramount

Although most people don't think of hernias as a health problem in children, hernias can occur in kids. In fact, hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries performed on children.

"Childhood hernias occur most frequently in newborns, although they may not become evident until years after birth," said Dr. Steve Megison, chief of Trauma at Children's Medical Center and professor of Pediatric Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Two types of hernias in children

Hernias occur when a section of the intestine pushes through a weakness in the abdominal muscles. There are two common types of hernias that occur in children, particularly in premature infants: umbilical (near the belly button) and inguinal (near the groin).

The most common symptom is a visible bulge in the groin or belly button. If you notice a bump in one of these areas, take your child to the pediatrician. "The symptoms of a hernia resemble other medical conditions, so it is important for your pediatrician to diagnose the problem," Dr. Megison said.

Your child's doctor may be able to push the herniated tissue back into the abdominal cavity, meaning the hernia is reducible. If the hernia is not reducible, a loop of the intestine could become trapped in the weakened abdominal muscles, making the intestine unable to function properly.

Treatment options

Because many umbilical hernias close on their own, your doctor may take a wait-and-see approach to the treatment. However, if the umbilical hernia has not closed by the age of 4, your doctor may recommend repairing it surgically. In 2007, Children's performed more than 375 inguinal hernias and 125 umbilical hernias.

Inguinal hernias always require surgery. During the operation, the surgeon puts the herniated tissue back into its proper place and closes the opening that allowed the area to become herniated. Inguinal surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, so an overnight stay is not required for older children. Babies may need to spend the night.

Once a hernia is closed, either on its own or through surgery, it is unlikely that it will occur again.

Tags: hernias , children , umbilical hernia , inguinal hernia