A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of tissue or organs, typically found in areas susceptible to muscular weakness, such as the abdominal area, groin, or umbilical area. People of all ages, including both adults and infants, can experience this phenomenon.

Hernias in infants typically do not induce pain; however, there is a possibility of compression. This is the point at which a hernia can lead to significant complications.

The most common hernias in babies

Babies are more likely to suffer from inguinal hernias and umbilical hernias, which are the two types of hernias that are most typically seen in infants.

Inguinal hernia

When a portion of the intestine protrudes through the lower abdominal muscles (also known as the intestinal canal), this condition is known as an inguinal hernia. In infant boys, inguinal hernias frequently form as a result of the inguinal canal not having completely closed after the testicles have moved from the stomach into the scrotum.

It is possible for inguinal hernias to develop in infant girls due to the fact that the inguinal canal is either open or weak from birth. Even while the symptoms might not be obvious at first, they might nonetheless manifest as a lump in the groin, the scrotum, or the labia region some time later.

Umbilical hernia

An umbilical hernia is a development of the intestine through the muscles surrounding the navel, whereby the umbilical cord is found. This can occur should the muscles surrounding the navel not close entirely following birth.

Causes of Hernias in Babies

Umbilical hernias and inguinal hernias in infants are typically the result of a combination of general factors, such as:

Weakness in abdominal wall muscles

One of the reasons for hernias in neonates is weakness or failure of the abdominal muscles to fully seal after birth. After the baby is born, certain sections of the abdominal muscular wall should totally seal, although this does not always occur.

Fetal development, labor pressure, or exposure to particular chemicals during pregnancy can all affect how the baby's abdominal muscle wall develops, which can result in weakness.

Persistent incomplete closure of the inguinal canal

In the process of prenatal development, it is typical for the testicles in male infants to move from the stomach to the scrotum by passing through the inguinal canal, which is a pathway located in the groin area. This channel plays a crucial role in the development of the male reproductive system.

Occasionally, the channel may fail to fully close following the descent of the testicle, resulting in a space through which tissue or organs, such as the intestines, might protrude and lead to an inguinal hernia.

Male babies are more susceptible to inguinal hernias due to the presence of longer and larger tubes in their bodies.

Insufficiency of muscular closure around the umbilicus

Following the delivery, the umbilical cord that links the newborn to the placenta will be severed. Following this procedure, the abdominal muscles should typically cover the umbilicus or navel, which is the area where the umbilical cord connects. Nevertheless, in certain infants, the musculature around the umbilicus fails to fully seal, resulting in a space that permits the protrusion of tissue or organs. The medical term for this issue is umbilical hernia.

Umbilical hernias are more prevalent in infants, particularly during the initial weeks of their existence. This protrusion may manifest or vanish abruptly, contingent upon the infant's motions and endeavors. This protrusion becomes more apparent when the infant is exerting force, expressing distress, or when the muscles in the abdomen are contracted.

Hereditary factors

If there is a familial history of hernias, the infant may be at increased susceptibility for hernia development. Genetic traits can impact the composition and durability of the abdominal muscular walls, leading to their potential weakening or inability to fully seal specific regions following birth.

If you have reason to believe that your infant may have a hernia, it is important that you promptly seek medical advice from a doctor in order to have a thorough assessment and appropriate treatment. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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