When an umbilical hernia is found in a baby or young infant, the doctor usually advises waiting and watching rather than operating. Surgery is necessary only if the hernia is very large, grows in size after age 1or 2, fails to heal by age 4 or 5, or develops symptoms of obstruction or strangulation. If such symptoms develop, call the doctor immediately. The hernia is apparent as a bulge in the groin area, especially when the child cries, coughs, or stands. In these cases, an enlargement or swelling can be seen that extends from the groin into the scrotum or labium.
Inguinal hernias are more common on the right side.
Inguinal hernias occur far more often in boys than girls and are most common in children with cystic fibrosis , undescended testicles , a urethra that opens on an unusual part of the penis, or premature infants. Children with a family history of hernias are also at risk. Depending on the location of the hydrocele, it may be left to disappear in a year or two or it may be treated as a hernia, with surgery. Sometimes hydroceles are associated with hernias. A hernia that is rare in children, and can be confused with an inguinal hernia, consists of tissues that have pushed in alongside an artery into the top of the thigh.