UNAIR NEWS – Some parents do not have any clue about hernia in children. In fact, a hernia is fairly common in children, especially in premature babies, babies with low birth weights, and babies with underdeveloped organs. The Faculty of Medicine (FK UNAIR) Universitas Airlangga discussed the issue on Dokter UNAIR TV YouTube channel on January 6, 2023.
Fransiska Kusumowidagdo dr., Sp.BA (K), the speaker, explained the health problems in children, such as the developing organ outside the baby’s body or the other parts in the muscle wall or tissues. Inguinal hernia in children is known as “turun berok”.
“Generally, most cases of hernia in children occur to a baby boy,” dr. Fransiska said.
Hernias in adults and children are different. While the former was caused by multifactor like obesity, hernia in children may happen anytime post-birth or as they grow. The main symptoms are a lump in the scrotum or groin, which is usually found when they are crying or straining and disappears once they are calmed.
In children, the hole in the scrotum is not fully closed. The hernia occurs when the remaining hole causes the intestine or abdominal organ to go inside the scrotum. The hole size causes the fluid to collect, which is known as a hydrocele, which may develop into a hernia.
Advanced treatment
Due to the genetic character of the hernia, Fransiska suggested conducting an advanced treatment by learning the family’s health history. Babies with hernia must be treated in an intensive care room for surgery. There are different risks of hernia between the newborn and the child. On the latter, elective surgery can be scheduled in advance.
In scheduling surgery, the cases include the lump cannot be restored to the abdomen, the lump staying or being pinched, and the pain being overwhelming. Besides, if the lump stays, it gets reddish, causes constipation, and other complications, if the hernia is not treated soon.
Generally, the hernia could be permanently cured when the treatment is conducted properly with no anomalies. However, 5 to 10 percent in reference level may depend on the conditions. In some cases, if the patient has a pinched hernia pocket, it may get thinner, which is prone to leaks again.
Author: Mutiara Rachmi Karenina
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
