Hernia Patch Attorneys

Hernias Can Happen to Children Too

Contrary to popular belief, hernias are fairly common health problems in children. Sometimes even babies, especially if born prematurely, can be born with them. Hernia repair is the one of the most common surgeries performed on children.

As with adults, hernias in children can be treated. As a parent or caregiver, it's important to recognize the symptoms of the different types of hernias children can have so that you can get the child the appropriate medical care and prevent the hernia from leading to other medical problems.

What does a hernia in a child look like?

A hernia may look like a bulge in the skin, but it's caused when an organ or tissue in the pushes through an opening or weak spot in a muscle wall. It can protrude into a space where it does not belong. This protrusion is called a hernia.

Some babies are born with various small openings inside their body that will close at some point, but have not closed yet. Nearby tissues can squeeze into such openings and become hernias.

What are the most common hernias that occur in children?

The two most common hernias that occur in children are umbilical hernias (belly-button area) and inguinal hernias (groin area).

• Umbilical Hernias - Some babies are born with a weakness or opening in the abdominal muscles around the belly button (under the skin) through which some abdominal membrane or small intestine protrudes. The soft bulge this creates is an umbilical hernia. It is most obvious when the baby cries, coughs, or strains. However, in most cases, an umbilical hernia causes an infant no discomfort. In fact, most umbilical hernias in babies tend to close up by age 2 and do not require surgery.
• Inguinal Hernias - In infants, an inguinal hernia is most often caused by a protrusion of a loop of intestine or a fold of membrane from the abdomen - or in girls, an ovary or fallopian tube - through an opening into the groin. The hernia is apparent as a bulge in the groin area, especially when the child cries, coughs, or stands. Children with a family history of hernias are more at risk.

Talk to the child's doctor if you suspect a hernia and he or she can review treatment options. There have been reported cases of injury due to the Kugel Mesh hernia patch implanted during surgery, so get in touch with a Kugel Mesh attorney at Williams Kherkher if you or someone you care about has experienced problems after hernia surgery. He or she will be able to analyze the situation and make a recommendation about what to do next. This initial consultation is free of charge, so contact the firm today.