Hernias in young children and their parents
What is a hernia?
A hernia is a lump, which varies in size, under the skin, in the tummy or groin. A hernia happens because your baby's muscles haven't developed fully.Normally, the muscles across the tummy and pelvis form a sheet to hold in organs, including the gut, or intestines. But with a hernia, there is a gap in this wall. Tissues, fluid or even part of the intestine can push through this gap and create a bulge under the skin.
There are two common types of hernia in babies and young children:
- Umbilical hernia: This happens around the tummy button and is more common in some ethnic groups, particularly babies of African descent.
- Inguinal hernia: This happens in the groin area, possibly extending up to the tummy. As many as five in 100 children are born with this.