Some mothers may find lumps in their baby's groin area when changing diapers or taking a shower, which may be caused by the newborn crying hard for a long time and resulting in hernias. Babies under one year old can generally recover on their own due to incomplete development, but if the baby is older, they may need to go to the hospital for surgery. When is the best time for pediatric hernia surgery? Let's learn about it together with the editor below.
Causes of pediatric hernia
The cause of hernia is an increase in abdominal pressure, such as crying, coughing, defecation, urination, etc. Older children can be made to stand, and abdominal exertion can also induce lumps to appear in the groin area, some of which may reach the scrotum or labia. The lump is formed by the protrusion of an organ from the abdominal cavity into a hernia sac, with the majority of the protruding organs being the small intestine, making it feel soft to the touch. Other conditions such as the large intestine, appendix, and greater omentum may also protrude. Women tend to have more ovarian prolapse, so they can often feel a lump that is the size of a thumb, harder, and often tender. In addition to being able to see or touch the lump, some children may experience constipation, loss of appetite, and vomiting, while others may show symptoms such as easy crying and restlessness.
The optimal time for pediatric hernia surgery
The best time for pediatric hernia surgery is from 6 months to 6 years old. Pediatric hernias often recur before 6 months, but there is a possibility of self-healing. If it is over 6 months old, the chance of self-healing will decrease. Moreover, if the child starts school after 6 years old, not performing surgery in a timely manner may cause inconvenience to their daily learning and exercise. Therefore, it is recommended that parents perform surgery on their child before the age of 6.
The above is the relevant information compiled by the editor on when is the best time for pediatric hernia surgery, hoping to help all parents. When a mother discovers a lump in the baby's abdominal groove or thigh, she should not panic. Instead, she can observe for a few days. If the baby experiences symptoms such as frequent crying, she should take the baby to the hospital for examination and surgery in a timely manner.
