An inguinal hernia in an infant occurs when a part of the intestine or abdominal tissue pushes through a weak spot in the inguinal canal, a passage in the lower abdominal wall. It typically appears as a bulge in the groin or scrotum and is more common in premature boys.

Symptoms:

• A soft lump in the groin or scrotum, more noticeable when the baby cries, coughs, or strains.
• The lump may disappear when the baby is lying down.
• If the hernia becomes incarcerated (trapped), symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, vomiting, and difficulty feeding. This is an emergency.

Causes & Risk Factors:

• Incomplete closure of the inguinal canal during fetal development.
• More common in boys, premature babies, and those with a family history of hernias.

Treatment:

• Surgery is the standard treatment to prevent complications like incarceration or strangulation (cutting off blood supply).
• If the hernia is reducible (able to be pushed back), surgery may be scheduled electively.
• If incarcerated, emergency surgery is needed.

When to See a Doctor:

• If you notice a lump in your baby’s groin.
• If the lump becomes firm, red, swollen, or painful, or if the baby is vomiting and irritable—this could indicate an emergency.