How to treat hernia in a three-year-old child?

Hernia in children is a relatively common disease. Generally speaking, it is impossible for a three-year-old child to heal hernia on its own, and the effect of drug treatment is not ideal. Only surgery can cure it. Once parents find that their three-year-old child has a hernia, they must take the child to treatment as soon as possible. It is best not to delay. Remember that you must go to a regular hospital to treat your child's hernia. Parents don't have to worry, as hernia is a minor operation.

The best time to treat hernia in children

The best time for hernia surgery in children: 6 months to 6 years old

The best time to perform hernia surgery in children is generally between 6 months and 6 years old. After the age of 6, children's activities increase, and they have to go to school, which brings many inconveniences to study and exercise, so it is advisable to have surgery before school entry; before 6 months, under normal circumstances, children with hernia will not feel any pain except for scrotal swelling, unless incarceration occurs, and it will not affect growth and development. Hernias in infants and young children may heal on their own, but the chances of self-healing decrease after 6 months. Routine treatment with bandages is generally not recommended because improper use may be dangerous.

The best time to have hernia surgery in children aged 4-5 years

The best time for pediatric hernia surgery - Hernia will not be a problem for children under 1 year old, so there is no need for parents to request surgery immediately when they find that their child has a hernia. Parents can use manipulation to help the child reposition the hernia and bandage it with a hernia belt. Generally, it can heal itself within 2 years old, and pediatric hernia requires general anesthesia, so try to perform surgery as late as when the child is 4 to 5 years old. Children over 4 years old and under 6 years old, that is, 5 years old should be the least worrying period for surgery. However, it should be noted that in some cases, children's hernias should be treated early. For example, if the child's hernia mass has been sent back through manipulation, but it still comes out repeatedly several times a day, or if the mass is stuck there and cannot be sent back, early treatment should be given. If childhood hernia is not treated properly, it may affect the child's future fertility.

Symptoms of hernia in children

1. The onset of hernia in children may be a few days or months after birth, and some children may even develop the disease after the age of 4 or 5.

2. Hernia in children is generally caused by forceful coughing, defecation, urination, crying, strenuous exercise, etc. There is a protruding mass in the child's groin. The mass will disappear or appear intermittently when pressed by hand, when the child is quiet or lying flat to sleep.

3. The child's lump feels very soft, and there is often a gurgling noise when pressing the lump. This is mostly caused by prolapse of the small intestine. The large intestine, appendix, greater omentum, etc. may also prolapse and cause umbilical hernia. In addition to being able to see or feel lumps, some children may also experience constipation, loss of appetite, spitting up, etc. Some may also become prone to crying and become restless. If the hernia is severe, it can cause difficulty in the child's movements.

4. If the tumor cannot be returned to the abdominal cavity, abdominal pain will worsen, the patient will cry incessantly, and then symptoms of intestinal obstruction such as vomiting, abdominal distension, and difficulty in defecation will appear. An oval tumor can be seen in the groin or scrotum. It is hard in texture and painful to touch. If the tumor has been incarcerated for a long time, redness and swelling can be seen on the skin. If the intestine cannot be returned for a long time, serious complications such as intestinal ischemia and necrosis may occur.

5. If pediatric hernia is not treated for a long time, it may develop into incarcerated hernia. Once incarcerated hernia occurs, it is easy to cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, anorexia or crying, irritability, and even endanger the life and health of the child.

Hernias in children are prone to recurrence and severe cases require surgical treatment. Therefore, if parents find that their children have symptoms of hernia, they need to take their children to the hospital immediately and not delay the treatment.