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Home › Articles › Newborn and Infant Months › Infant Hernias

Infant Hernias

Exploring the Types and Treatments of Infant Hernias

By Teri Brown

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"Inguinal hernias require surgery to avoid complications which can be life-threatening as they do not spontaneously disappear," Dr. Kessler says. "Umbilical hernias on the other hand rarely cause a problem and most resolve on their own. Diaphragmatic hernias are of major concern and require urgent attention."

Dr. Randy Fink, an OB/GYN with a private practice in Miami, Fla., agrees that hernias (barring the much more rare diaphragmatic hernias) are not dangerous on the whole, but should be seen by your infant's health care provider. He also says they shouldn't be painful.

"Hernias or bulges that are tender or appear to cause pain (such as an inconsolable baby) are those that should be evaluated immediately," Dr. Fink says. "This potentially represents a medical emergency, so it's a great reason to seek care. However, uncomplicated, non-incarcerated hernias are painless."

What Is the Treatment?
Even though many umbilical hernias resolve themselves, they should be evaluated by a doctor. Left untreated, an inguinal or umbilical hernia risks incarceration. Incarceration describes a hernia that cannot be manually relieved, and in which abdominal contents get stuck.

"When a knuckle of intestine gets stuck, the blood supply to that portion of bowel can be cut off (called a 'strangulated hernia'), resulting in a surgical emergency," Dr. Fink says. "No blood supply means the segment of intestine will die, or even open up inside the body. This can be catastrophic, and may also mean a portion of the intestine needs to be removed. In extreme cases, it can cause death."

Most pediatric surgeons will recommend that Mom and Dad wait for an umbilical hernia to heal on its own, as many will. But an inguinal hernia rarely gets better on its own, so most doctors will recommend surgery.


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