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Home >> Pediatric Urology >> Inguinal Hernia >> Diagnosis
Inguinal Hernia - Diagnosis
Overview | Diagnosis | Treatment | FAQ
What are the symptoms of an inguinal hernia?
Hernias may be first noticed in newborns as an inguinal or scrotal bulge. Straining and crying do not cause hernias; however, the increased pressure in the abdomen can make a hernia more noticeable. The swelling may be more noticeable when the baby cries, and may get smaller or go away when the baby relaxes. If your physician pushes gently on this bulge when the child is calm and lying down, it will usually get smaller or go back into the abdomen. 
In a toddler or older child, a hernia defect may show up a fluid collection in the scrotum (hydrocele). A parent might notice the hydrocele looking small in the morning, and larger at the end of the day, after the child has been running around for a while. This is because normal abdominal fluid can drain down the opening, and fill the scrotum during the day; then drain back into the abdomen at night, when lying down. This fluctuation shows that the child has a communicating hydrocele, and means a hernia defect is present.
How is an inguinal hernia diagnosed?
Hernias can be diagnosed by a physical examination by your child's physician. Your child will be examined to determine if the hernia is reducible (can be pushed back into the abdominal cavity) or not.
Incarcerated hernia
If the hernia is not reducible,(incarcerated), then a loop of intestine or fat may be caught in the opening area of abdominal muscle. The following are the most common symptoms that indicate this has occurred. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- vomiting
- pain or fussiness
- redness or discoloration
- fever
The symptoms of an incarcerated inguinal hernia may resemble other conditions or medical problems. An incarcerated hernia is a problem of immediate concern. Incarceration can cause intestinal or testicle injury, and a child can become very sick due to perforation of the intestine. Always consult your child's physician or the emergency room for a diagnosis.
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