Inguinal hernia is a swelling in the groin due to a defect in the lower part of abdomen that is present since birth in some children. Abdominal contents or fluid protrude through this defect when the child strains coughs or cries. These contents go back into the abdomen when child relaxes or sleeps.
This requires a simple surgery as soon as it is diagnosed. It is a day care surgery, where the child can be discharged on the same day or the next day after surgery. A child should undergo surgical repair of this defect, as soon as he or she is diagnosed, because there are very high chances of untreated hernia getting complicated, particularly in small children.
Very small children or neonates with untreated hernia have even higher chances of getting complications. So, they should be operated as soon as possible. If not treated, abdominal contents like intestine or omentum, which is abdominal fat, can get stuck in the defect causing, severe pain, hard irreducible swelling, redness over the swelling, abdominal distension, inability to pass urine or stool or both and vomiting. Child will also have accessive cry. If not treated promptly, the child can have life-threatening complications like intestinal obstruction or perforation, bowel gangrene, requiring more complicated surgery and possible thread to life.
This can also harm the testis by blocking its blood supply, leading to potential effects on fertility in later life.
As small as one month child can undergo hernia surgery safely in expert hands. So, don’t ignore symptoms of inguinal hernia in a child and consult pediatric surgeon for expert advice and treatment.