when to be concerned about a hernia

in this article:

• What are the common causes of hernias?
• What are the treatment options for my child's hernia?
• When should I seek medical attention for my child?
• What can I expect if my child needs surgery?

Hernias are common in children. While most hernias aren't immediately life-threatening, they don't always go away on their own and can cause serious problems. It's important to recognize the different types of hernias and when to seek medical care for your child. Dr. Arturo Aranda, division chief of pediatric surgery at Dayton Children's Hospital, shares his recommendations for hernia treatment in children.

what are the common causes of hernias?

The two types of hernias most common among children are inguinal hernias and umbilical hernias.

An inguinal hernia is identified as a bulge in the groin area. About 3-5% of full-term babies are born with them. In premature babies, the rate is up to 30%. Both boys and girls can experience the, However, they are more common in boys.

An umbilical hernia is identified as a bulge or 'outie' of the belly button. The hernia may become more noticeable when your child is crying.

what are the treatment options for my child's hernia?

If your child has an inguinal hernia, surgery will be needed to close the tunnel and prevent the intestines from pushing through the abdominal wall. The timing of surgery depends on the severity of your child's symptoms but should be as soon as possible after the diagnosis. If you believe your child is experiencing an inguinal hernia, you can schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric surgery providers.

If your child has an umbilical hernia, it is probably nothing to worry about. Most umbilical hernias (80-90%) will close on their own by the time your baby is 4 years old. Surgery will only be needed if the hernia doesn't goa away by age four or five, or the hernia becomes incarcerated. An incarcerated umbilical hernia is when part of the intestine becomes trapped in the abdominal wall.

Sometimes babies have both inguinal and umbilical hernias that can be repaired in the same operation.

when should I seek medical attention for my child?

In some cases, an untreated hernia can lead to potentially serious complications. If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care:

• A bulge that becomes red or purple
• Pain that unexpectedly gets worse
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Unable to pass gas or have bowel movements

If your child is experiencing non-urgent hernia pain or discomfort that is not described above, you can schedule an appointment online with one of our pediatric surgery providers.

what can I expect if my child needs surgery?

The pediatric surgery team at Dayton Children's makes it easy for parents to schedule both the clinic visit and your child's surgery. We provide an individualized treatment plan for your child. Dayton Children's is one of the only centers in the nation to provide both conventional or minimally invasive surgical techniques to repair umbilical and inguinal hernias. Regardless of the hernia or the type of surgery needed, it is an outpatient procedure which means that in just a few hours, you will be back home with your child.

The same-day surgery program is also offered for patients with inguinal and umbilical hernias. The programs allow families the ability to schedule a surgical consult and operation on the same day. If you're interested in scheduling a same-day surgery, please call 937-641-4000.