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Images in Clinical Practice

Indian Pediatrics 2005; 42:1048

Neonatal Inguinal Hernia


A day-old term male neonate presented with bilateral inguinoscrotal swelling, of which right was more prominent. (Fig. 1) Both the testes were in scrotum. Clinical diagnosis of bilateral inguinal hernia with communicating hydrocele was made. Baby also had lax abdominal wall and bilateral hydronephrosis as shown by abdominal ultrasound, which may suggest the rare possibility of incomplete prunebelly syndrome.

Fig. 1. Bilateral inguinal hernia.

Inguinal hernia in newborn is a common surgical condition. Estimated incidence is 10-20/1000 live births. Preterm and low birth weight babies have higher incidence of inguinal hernia. Indirect inguinal hernia is more common than direct hernia. It is more common in boys and on right side. It can be associated with congenital heart disease, meningomyelocele, malrotation of gut. Bilateral inguinal hernia is rare. Differential diagnoses are tense hydrocele, torsion of testes and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Complications associated are incarceration of the bowel (as high as 25%) and testicular atrophy. Management is elective surgery as early as possible.

R. Chandrakala,
C.N. Vijayashankara.

Department of Pediatrics,
Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College,
Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka,
India.
E-mail: [email protected]

 

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