Patient's question:
A 5.5-year-old boy recently discovered a swelling in the scrotal sac, about the size of a quail egg. The child does not have obvious pain, but experiences pain only when the swelling is pushed by hand. The pain disappears when he sleeps at night. Hospital examination revealed it to be an inguinal hernia. How is pediatric hernia formed?Doctor's answer:
Infantile hernia is caused by poor development of the inguinal area during embryonic development and incomplete closure of the processus vaginalis, leading to the small intestine, omentum, and other abdominal contents entering this processus vaginalis, which results in a hernia. It can occur on both sides. If the hernia is not treated in a timely manner, it may have adverse effects on the child's future development, such as affecting walking. In boys, it may also cause testicular atrophy. Therefore, it is important to seek treatment promptly.