For Patients/Families

Hernia
A protrusion of an organ or other tissue through an abnormal opening. The most common reference to hernia occurs in young boys, especially prematurely born ones, in which inguinal hernia is common. Normally the testes are formed in the abdomen and migrate down into the scrotum through the inguinal canal. Before birth this canal should seal off. If it is not completely sealed off, bowel may follow the same path to exit the abdomen into the inguinal canal or scrotum. This is an inguinal hernia and requires surgical repair.

Another hernia seen in newborn infants is that of the diaphragm (See diaphragmatic hernia.) where bowel from the abdomen protrudes up into the thorax, usually through a hole in the diaphragm.

About the only hernia which resolves on its own is an umbilical hernia that is covered with skin. This hernia results from an incomplete fusion of the abdominal muscles that permits part of the bowel to protrude up at the level of the umbilicus or belly button. As the infant grows, the muscle layers often increase and fuse gradually eliminating the hernia.