Patient's question:
In this period, the child has been complaining of stomach pain. We took him to the nearby children's hospital for treatment, where they said it was a gastrointestinal illness. After taking medicine for several days, there was no improvement. So, we took him to the town hospital for a thorough examination, where they said it was infantile hernia. I'm not very familiar with this, so I'd like to consult about it. What are the methods for treating infantile hernia?Doctor's answer:
Hernia in children is mainly caused by weak abdominal walls, which leads to abdominal contents falling outside the abdominal wall. It is recommended to wait until the child is around four or five years old before considering treatment. Mild early childhood hernias can be treated conservatively with an abdominal belt. There is also a possibility that it may improve on its own, so this possibility should not be ruled out. If the condition is very severe, the age factor is no longer considered, and surgery should be performed as soon as possible. It is advised not to let the child engage in strenuous exercise, and parents should pay close attention to prevent strangulation.