15 Nov Have you noticed a swelling in Baby’s  groin, especially when they are crying 

Or perhaps you have noticed a bulge in Baby’s groin that seems to come and go

If you answered yes to either of the statements above, then your Baby could have an Inguinal Hernia. 

A hernia is when a part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the belly (abdominal) muscles. The hernia creates a soft lump or bulge under the skin. In children, a hernia often happens in 1 of these 2 places:
1. The groin area, called an Inguinal Hernia.
2. Around the belly button, called an Umbilical Hernia. 

During pregnancy, all babies have an area called the Inguinal Canal. This goes from the abdomen to the genitals. In boys, this canal lets the testicles move from the belly to the scrotum, the sac that holds the testicles. Normally, a baby’s inguinal canal closes shortly before or after birth. But in some cases the canal doesn’t fully close. Then a loop of intestine can move into the inguinal canal through the weak spot in the belly wall. This causes an inguinal hernia. Most inguinal hernias happen in boys.

The swelling of the Inguinal Hernia may be easier to see when your baby cries, coughs, or strains to have a bowel movement. It may get smaller or go away when your baby relaxes. 

Often the Hernia will resolve over time. In some cases, the hernia can’t be pushed back into the belly. Then the loop of intestine may be stuck in the weak spot of abdominal muscle. When this happens, symptoms may include:

A full, round belly
Belly pain and soreness
Vomiting
Fussiness
Redness or discoloration near the hernia
Fever

If the stuck intestine is not treated, blood supply may be blocked to part of the intestine. This is a medical emergency.

If you are concerned about a bulge in your Baby’s groin, always see professional medical advise from your Family Doctor to ensure that Baby has the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategies.