Hernia

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Information on conditions unique to girls and young women can be found at

At Norton Children’s Urology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, our pediatric urologists are fellowship trained in pediatric and adolescent urology specialty care and have the expertise to treat a child’s hernia.

Our state-of-the-art equipment is not available elsewhere in Louisville. We also can provide sedation.

Our specialists bring skill, respect and sensitivity to caring for your child’s urological needs.

Hernia

A hernia is the result of a weakness or hole in the abdominal muscles. This allows organs or tissues to poke through the muscle, causing a bulge in the skin.

When a hernia occurs in the groin area, it’s called an inguinal hernia.

An inguinal hernia typically develops before birth and may not become apparent until a bulge develops.

Both boys and girls can get hernias, but the condition is more common in boys. Baby boys with undescended testicles are at a higher risk of developing a hernia.

Hernia Symptoms

Most hernias create a soft bulge in the skin. Inguinal hernias appear as a bulge or swelling in the groin region.

When a baby cries, swelling due to a hernia may be more noticeable. When the baby is relaxed or sleeping, the swelling subsides.

Only about 25% of hernias cause pain.

Hernia Surgery

Inguinal hernias rarely close on their own, and your physician may need to close it surgically. It’s one of the most common surgeries performed on children.

Our team will assess your child and determine when surgery should occur — usually as soon as feasible. Without treatment, the intestine can become stuck in the hernia opening. This can cut off blood supply and damage the intestine.

The good news is that a hernia operation usually is simple. A repaired hernia is unlikely to reoccur.

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