What are the symptoms of hernia in children? How to prevent it?

During the embryonic period, there is a "process vaginal process of peritoneum" in the groin, which can help the testicles descend into the scrotum or be fixed by the round ligament of the uterus. After some children are born, this process vaginal process does not close completely, causing the small intestine, omentum, ovary, fallopian tube, etc. in the abdominal cavity to enter this process vaginal process, which becomes a hernia. So what are the symptoms of hernia in children?

Symptoms

➤ Hernias in children may occur days, months, or years after birth.

➤ Usually when a child is crying, exercising vigorously, or has dry stools, there will be a protruding lump in the groin, which sometimes extends to the scrotum or labia area; it will disappear on its own when the child lies flat or is pressed with the hands.

➤ Once the hernia becomes incarcerated (the hernia mass cannot be reduced), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, anorexia or crying and irritability will occur.

➤ In the early stages of pediatric hernia, the swelling may disappear when the child lies flat and quiet; as the intra-abdominal pressure continues to increase, the swelling may drop into the scrotum. At this time, if the factors causing increased intra-abdominal pressure can be eliminated, and the child can be made to lie flat, or the swelling can be gently pushed toward the abdominal cavity, the swelling can return to the abdominal cavity through the channel through which the testicle descends, and the swelling disappears. This situation is called reducible hernia.

➤ If the tumor cannot be returned to the abdominal cavity, abdominal pain will intensify, crying will continue, and then vomiting, abdominal distension, difficulty in defecation and other symptoms of intestinal obstruction will appear. An oval tumor can be seen in the groin or scrotum, with a hard texture and obvious tenderness. If the incarceration time is long, the skin can be seen red and swollen. If the intestine cannot be returned for a long time, serious complications such as intestinal ischemia and necrosis may occur.

Disease prevention

➤ Because hernias can occur in infancy, the child's groin or scrotum should be carefully observed during this period to see if there is swelling or a mass that appears and disappears.

➤ Although hernias are more common in boys, they can also occur in girls. We should be more vigilant about hernia in girls because the ovaries and fallopian tubes often enter the hernia sac.

➤ Do not wrap the baby's abdomen too tightly during infancy to avoid increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Do not let your child stand up too early to prevent the intestine from falling and forming an inguinal hernia.

➤ Eat foods that are easily digestible and high in fiber to keep bowel movements smooth. When a child has dry stools, laxative measures should be taken and the child should not be forced to strain to defecate.

➤ Do not let your child cough loudly or cry loudly to prevent increased abdominal pressure.