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Inguinal hernia in very low birthweight children: A continuing risk to age 8 years
Author(s) -
KITCHEN W. H.,
DOYLE L. W.,
FORD G. W.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.1991.tb02542.x
Subject(s) - medicine , inguinal hernia , hernia , pediatrics , general surgery
The prevalence of inguinal hernia repair up to 8 years of age was determined in 205 inborn children of birthweight < 1500 g who had survived to the age of 8 years; 37 (18.0%) of the children required surgery for inguinal hernia, significantly more frequently for boys than girls (32.0% and 3.9% respectively). The cumulative percentage of inguinal hernia operations in boys was 8.7% during primary hospitalization, 20.4% by 2 years, 30.1% by 5 years and 32.0% by 8 years; and 36.4% (12 of 33) hernias in boys occurred beyond 2 years of age. The risk of hernia in boys was only marginally higher in those who required assisted ventilation and in those of birthweight <1000 g. Very low birthweight infants, particularly boys, are at risk of developing an inguinal hernia not only in infancy but also to at least 8 years of age.