Common Illnesses & Injuries
Hernias
A hernia, also known as a rupture, occurs when an internal part of the body bulges out through the muscles that normally contain it. This bulging happens as a result of a weakness in the muscular wall that was either present at birth or developed later as a result of injury, internal pressure, or a tumor.
While a hernia can happen in various parts of the abdominal area, its most common locations are the groin and belly button. This is true for children and adults.
In children, the two most common types of hernia are:
- The inguinal hernia (found in the groin) and
- The umbilical hernia (found in the belly button area)
Two other types of hernias found sometimes in children are:
- A ventral hernia (which develops at the site of a previous surgery) and
- A femoral hernia (which appears very low in the groin area, just above the thigh)
