Patient's question:
My sister's child is now over a year old. They were previously diagnosed with a hernia at the hospital. Treatment has already begun. Could you please explain why the child has a hernia, and what are the causes of pediatric hernia episodes?Doctor's answer:
Inguinal hernia in children is also known as "scrotal hernia," commonly referred to as "protruding intestines." It is the most common surgical condition in pediatric medicine. During the embryonic stage, there is a " processus vaginalis" in the inguinal region, which helps the testicles descend into the scrotum or anchors the round ligament of the uterus. In some children, the processus vaginalis does not close completely at birth, leading to the intestines, omentum, ovaries, and fallopian tubes entering the abdomen. The processus vaginalis becomes a hernia. If only fluid accumulates in the scrotum, it is called hydrocele. Hernias typically occur in boys.