The diaphram has a small opening, or hiatus, that allows the esophagus to pass food through to the stomach, according to MayoClinic.com. When a hiatal hernia is present, a small part of the stomach pushes upward through the diaphram opening. Hiatal hernias are caused by a weakening of the muscle that keeps the stomach in place. Excess pressure on the stomach is another possible contributory factor; no direct cause is known, however. A large hiatal hernia may require surgery in children, but a small one can usually go unnoticed.
Heartburn
Heartburn is common if a hiatal hernia is present, according to MayoClinic.com. Since a portion of the stomach where food contents are stored is above the diaphragm, food contents might come back up the esophagus causing burning and pain. Children may not know what heartburn feels like and may complain of chest or throat pain.
Tummy Aches
A child with a hiatal hernia may also suffer from stomach pain and nausea, according to MayoClinic.com. A hiatal hernia may disrupt normal gastric digestion due to displacement of the stomach. Food now may take longer to be digested causing "tummy aches."
Swallowing Problems
According to the National Library of Medicine, the esophagus is affected when a hiatal hernia is present and swallowing problems can result. A child might complain that food is stuck in the throat, or that food is not going all the way down.
