What causes redness and swelling of the scrotum in children?

Many parents of boys have found that their baby’s scrotum is always red and swollen. Some people don’t know what is going on and always think that the child’s scrotum is injured by external force. In fact, this understanding is somewhat one-sided, because there are several reasons that may cause children to have this condition. Let me introduce you to some knowledge about this aspect!

When a normal male baby is born, there is a sac called "processum vaginalis" in the scrotum. It should close on its own and become an extremely thin fiber cord, a small part of which forms the proper tunica vaginalis outside the testicle. However, if this sac does not close on its own when the baby is born, it will communicate with a very small hole in the peritoneal cavity, causing the peritoneal fluid to flow into the sac and, together with the secretions of the scrotal wall, form a neonatal hydrocele, causing the baby's scrotum to visibly swell.

Pediatric hernia is more common in male babies. One type of hernia is congenital, that is, after the testicle descends to the scrotum, the processus vaginalis fails to close, thus forming a hernial sac called a blind bag; the other type is acquired, because in infancy, some babies' abdominal wall muscles are not fully developed, and the abdominal wall is also relatively loose. When the abdominal pressure increases, such as crying or strenuous activity, the intestinal tube in the abdominal cavity protrudes from the inguinal canal to the abdominal wall and enters the scrotum, causing the scrotum to become swollen.

If your baby has hydrocele, there is no need to rush to surgical treatment if the accumulation of fluid is not too much, because most of them can heal on their own. However, if the hydrocele has a large tension or cannot heal itself after the age of 2, you should go to the hospital for surgery as soon as possible to avoid affecting the development of the testicles. Generally, surgery for a hydrocele is simple, safe, and produces very good results.

Since only a very small number of babies can gradually heal their hernias as they grow and mature, no matter what type of hernia it is, it needs to be treated in the hospital. However, there is no medical treatment for hernias, and surgery is usually necessary to cure them. Generally speaking, surgical treatment for pediatric hernia is safe, effective, simple and quick.

If you find that your baby's scrotum has redness and swelling, it is best to take the child to the hospital for examination in time to find out the cause of the phenomenon. Symptomatic treatment is necessary. If the child has a hernia, it is generally easier to treat when he is young. If it is scrotal accumulation, it is best not to let the child engage in strenuous activities.