Early Diagnosis of Inguinal Hernia in Children

Aim: The aim of this study is determine the degree of contribution of detailed and careful examination of inguinal area in children during the visit at health center or hospital to early diagnosis and treatment of inguinal hernia. Method: The records of those who were diagnosed as inguinal hernia in 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Findings: Patients who applied to the pediatric polyclinic and had been taken the diagnosis of inguinal hernia then referred to pediatric surgery for the operation were included. There were 50 patients in which 36 male (72 %) and 14 female (28 %). Patients’ ages ranged from 1 day to 12 years. 50 % of the cases were 0-6 months old, 22 % were 1-3 years old, 28 % were 3 years old and over. 20 % of patients (ages ranged from 0 to 6 months) were newborn. Approximately 50 % of the hernias appeared on the right side, 20 % on the left side and 30 % on both sides Twenty percent of all patients were cases diagnosed by the examination of a pediatrician, whose parents did not notice hernia and did not have any complaints. All of these cases were in 0-6 month period and 10% were newborn. On the other hand, 40 % of the 0-6 month-old patients had no complaints and the physician determined. 24 % of the patients diagnosed in the same age group were premature and half of them were diagnosed during the neonatal examination of the pediatrician. Conclusion: In the examinations performed by the pediatricians, especially in the first six months period, detailed and careful inguinal region examination revealed a significant increase in the rates of early referral to the hernia. Increasing the awareness of inguinal hernia in pediatric clinics, family health centers, and family education will make a significant contribution to early diagnosis and treatment