Hernias can occur at any age, but they are very common in infants. In broad terms, a hernia occurs when organs or tissues push through a hole, or weak area, of the wall in the body where it is contained. For example, fat or part of the small intestines can push through a weak spot in the muscles of the groin, where you can see it protrude out. However, there is more than one type of hernia with infants, and therefore more than one set of symptoms.
Umbilical Hernia
An umbilical happens when part of the intestines push their way through the abdominal muscles by way of a weak area. They are actually quite common in babies, and while their appearance can be alarming, the Mayo Clinic reports that they usually take care of themselves before the first birthday. If they have not disappeared by 4 years of age, surgery may be recommended. Symptoms of an umbilical hernia are a bulge near the belly button that can be up to 2 inches in size. This bulge often only appears when the baby is straining the abdominal muscles in some way, such as when crying, coughing or relieving himself.
Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia occurs when part of an organ pushes through an opening inside of the body, in the groin area, that shouldn't be there. The danger of an inguinal hernia happens when the organ becomes so twisted, or constricted, in the opening that circulation to that organ is cut off. The Texas Pediatric Surgical Associates, part of the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, reports that inguinal hernias are common, accounting for up to 80 percent of all hernias, and surgical treatment of an inguinal hernia is the most commonly performed infant surgical procedure. The primary symptom of an inguinal hernia in an infant is a lump or a bulge in the groin area. This type of hernia is most common in boys, and it can appear as a swollen testicle, or a lump in the testicle. It rarely appears in girls, but when it does it can be a small bulge in the area of the groin that can appear larger when the infant is laid out flat.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
A congenital diaphragmatic hernia is quite rare, as well as serious, and often is referred to as a birth defect instead of a hernia. According to a report in the New York Times Health Guide, a diaphragmatic hernia occurs when the diaphragm does not form correctly during fetal development, which leaves an opening in it. This enables some of the abdominal organs to go through the hole into the chest cavity, which can be very serious. Often, a congenital diaphragmatic hernia is diagnosed by way of ultrasound while the baby is still in the womb. Symptoms of the hernia, after birth, are bluish skin, labored and rapid breathing, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms are a result of the abdominal organs crowding the lungs in the chest cavity. A congenital diaphragmatic hernia is very serious and needs to be treated immediately or it could result in death for the baby.
