hernia care for kids
what are the common causes of hernias?
The pediatric surgery team at Dayton Children’s makes it easy for parents to schedule both the clinic visit and your child’s surgery. We provide an individualized treatment plan for your child. Dayton Children’s is one of the only centers in the nation to provide both conventional or minimally invasive surgical techniques to repair umbilical and inguinal hernias. Regardless of the hernia or the type of surgery needed, it is an outpatient procedure which means that in just a few hours, you will be back home with your child.
The two types of hernias most common among children are inguinal hernias and umbilical hernias.
An inguinal hernia is identified as a bulge in the groin area. About 3-5% of full-term babies are born with them. In premature babies, the rate is up to 30%. Both boys and girls can experience the, However, they are more common in boys.
An umbilical hernia is identified as a bulge or ‘outie’ of the belly button. The hernia may become more noticeable when your child is crying.
what are the treatment options for my child’s hernia?
If your child has an inguinal hernia, surgery will be needed to close the tunnel and prevent the intestines from pushing through the abdominal wall. The timing of surgery depends on the severity of your child’s symptoms but should be as soon as possible after the diagnosis. If you believe your child is experiencing an inguinal hernia, you can schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric surgery providers.
If your child has an umbilical hernia, it is probably nothing to worry about. Most umbilical hernias (80-90%) will close on their own by the time your baby is 4 years old. Surgery will only be needed if the hernia doesn’t goa away by age four or five, or the hernia becomes incarcerated. An incarcerated umbilical hernia is when part of the intestine becomes trapped in the abdominal wall.
Sometimes babies have both inguinal and umbilical hernias that can be repaired in the same operation.
when should I seek medical attention for my child?
In some cases, an untreated hernia can lead to potentially serious complications. If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care:
- A bulge that becomes red or purple
- Pain that unexpectedly gets worse
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Unable to pass gas or have bowel movements
If your child is experiencing non-urgent hernia pain or discomfort that is not described above, you can schedule an appointment online with one of our pediatric surgery providers.
why choose Dayton Children’s?
- Children are not small adults: When it comes to kids, one size does not fit all. Our staff is trained specifically to care for the needs of children and teens. From nurses and doctors, to child life specialists who help distract kids when they are nervous or uncomfortable, to medical equipment and tools, every part of your child’s care is tailored and specialized just for them.
- Sensory-friendly surgery experience: Surgery can be scary for any child, but it is especially traumatic for children with special needs. Some children may not understand what’s going on which can cause them to act out and become very irritated. In the past, the answer to this was to provide a pre-surgery calming medication to help the child cope. But today we have different options! A team of Dayton Children’s employees led by pediatric anesthesiologist, Sean Antosh, MD, knew that there was a better way to meet the needs of these children without resorting to medication. Together they found a way to create a more relaxed, sensory-friendly environment to soothe and distract kids before surgery, by making our pre-op sensory-friendly rooms!
- Same-day surgery program: The same-day surgery program is also offered for patients with inguinal and umbilical hernias. The programs allow families the ability to schedule a surgical consult and operation on the same day. If you’re interested in scheduling a same-day surgery, please call 937-641-4000.
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Whether you’re looking for the right provider, ready to make an appointment, or need care right now—we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
