Symptoms and methods of treatment of a hernia of the white line of the abdomen in a child
A hernia of the white line of the abdomen is a disease that is rarely diagnosed in children. It accounts for only 0.7-0.8% of all possible hernias. At risk are mostly kids from five years old.
Despite the rarity, there is still a chance to encounter this disease. In this regard, it is necessary to know its varieties, symptoms and approaches to therapy.
Causes and types of the disease
The white line of the abdomen is a specific anatomical formation consisting of tendon fibers. It is located in the center of the abdomen and stretches from the xiphoid process to the pubic joint. From above, the tendon cord is wider, from top to bottom it narrows. In this regard, the formation of a hernia is possible mainly in the upper section.
A hernia of the white line of the abdomen in a child may differ in the shape of the hole through which the protrusion occurred.
It can be:
- diamond-shaped;
- rounded;
- oval.
The most dangerous hernia is the development of pinching. Of course, it is very rare, but it is still not worth excluding the possibility of development. The risk of infringement increases if the hernial orifice is very narrow.
Most often, the pathology is hereditary. It can also be due to changes in the anatomical structure during fetal development or acquired weakness of the tendon fibers.
Stages of the disease
The pathology of the midline of the abdomen goes through three stages of development. It is very rare for a baby to immediately find the final stage. Much more often, the disease can be "caught" at the first or second stage, if the parents do not postpone going to the doctor.
Allocate:
- the stage of pre-abdominal lipoma , in which only fatty areas of the tissue forming the pre-peritoneal space protrude into the holes formed in the tendon fibers;
- stage of sac formation , in which various organs can be found (most often a part of the intestine and an omentum are found there, but a part of the stomach, gallbladder can also be found there);
- stage of a full hernia , in which a hernial orifice and a sac filled with parts of internal organs are found.
At the third stage of the development of the disease, the defect is visually visible without much effort. It can also be felt, felt under the fingers.
Very rarely, a patient may have several pathological protrusions at once, which are located one above the other.
Symptoms
Many parents are wondering how to suspect the development of a hernia of the white line of the abdomen in a baby? A number of specific symptoms can help with this.
First of all, of course, a small defect will turn on itself, which resembles a bump in shape. In newborns, it may be poorly visible, which may make it difficult to make a diagnosis.
In addition to the lump, the presence of pathology will be indicated by violations of the digestive tract.
Most often, patients experience:
- the appearance of heartburn;
- persistent feeling of nausea;
- vomiting that does not bring a sense of relief;
- a variety of stool disorders (the baby can have both diarrhea and constipation).
At the first stage, bright clinical signs are mostly absent. It is diagnosed by a doctor during a preventive examination or treatment for another reason. As the pathology progresses, the symptoms will increase. Complaints may appear only after any physical activity (crying in the baby, attempts to lift weights, prolonged coughing or sneezing, etc.).
For pinched hernia, a characteristic bright clinical picture. Acute pain syndrome comes to the fore. Pain in the abdomen is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, anxiety. In case of pinching, the child needs urgent help.
Methods for diagnosing pathology
If a baby or older baby behaves strangely or complains of abdominal pain, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor. Treating a disease at home, and even without a full diagnosis, is a serious mistake that can cost a child not only life, but also health.
The diagnosis is established by the doctor, based on the data obtained during an objective examination of the baby, questions from parents regarding the symptoms that have appeared. An ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity is mandatory, thanks to which it is possible to establish the size of the hernia and its severity.
Additionally, there may be:
- x-ray examination of the abdominal organs for the most accurate diagnosis;
- gastroscopic examination;
- study of intestinal patency using a special contrast agent.
Often parents make the mistake of trying to speak a hernia from traditional healers or cure it with the help of traditional medicine recipes. It is categorically not recommended to do this, since there is a high risk of aggravating the child's condition due to the progression of the disease. Attempts to be treated with the help of healers and traditional medicine will only take time without bringing any tangible benefits.
How to solve a problem
Treatment of the disease is possible only with the help of surgery. Without surgical intervention, a hernia cannot be treated, even if adults really do not want to send their child under the surgeon's knife.
Before the operation is carried out, it is recommended to carry out a minimum preparation of the baby. First of all, they change the diet, excluding from it all products aimed at stimulating intestinal motility. It is also recommended to organize fractional meals, in which food is absorbed in small portions, but 5-6 times a day.
Surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The intervention is called hernioplasty.
Removal of a hernia is carried out in several stages. First, the surgeon removes all internal organs from the hernial sac, placing them in their proper places. Then the hernial sac is sutured, and only then the defect in the white line of the abdomen, due to which the protrusion has formed, is eliminated. In some cases, the organs are injured, and then they have to be additionally sutured with the removal of dead tissues.
Treatment of pathology is rarely carried out using only the body's own tissues. Basically, doctors prefer the installation of a special restraining mesh, which will not allow the pathology to recur.
The intervention is considered easy, the child easily tolerates it. Complications develop extremely rarely.
Recovery period after surgery
Rehabilitation is an important element of treatment aimed at consolidating its results and preventing relapses.
First of all, it is recommended to continue to follow the diet, although it now has a slightly different look. As you recover, portions can be increased, and the interval between meals can be made longer. In the first weeks, it is better to give preference to liquid and mushy foods.
Additionally, it is recommended to supply the baby with nutritional supplements that will contain calcium, vitamins B, C. It is better not to consume fiber in large quantities so as not to provoke bloating.
It is necessary to carefully monitor the child's stool, avoiding severe constipation. Constipation can interfere with the healing process of a postoperative wound. It is also important to remember that straining when emptying the bowels can lead to a relapse of the disease.
On average, the duration of the rehabilitation of a child is from 2 months to six months. During recovery, physical activity is dosed.
Prevention recommendations
A hernia of the white line of the abdomen in children is a disease that can be prevented if timely preventive measures are taken.
If we are talking about infants, then control over nutrition and bowel movements is important for them. It is necessary to control the amount of food entering the body, avoiding excessive overeating. Also, parents should ensure that the child does not have frequent constipation or, on the contrary, diarrhea.
It is also impossible to let the baby scream excessively and for a long time, since screaming increases the load on the abdominal wall, provoking the appearance of a hernia.
If we are talking about an adult child, then dosed sports will be the best way for him to prevent it. The load on the press helps to strengthen the white line of the abdomen, which helps prevent the development of hernial protrusions in this vulnerable area.
In order to detect the disease in a timely manner, it is recommended to regularly bring the child to preventive medical examinations. During such examinations, the doctor will be able to detect pathology at an early stage of its development and take the most optimal measures for treatment.
It is important for parents to remember that the diagnosis of a hernia along the white line of the abdomen is not at all scary. Many are afraid that only surgical treatment can help, but there is nothing to be afraid of. The intervention is standard, and the risks of complications during its implementation are minimized thanks to a proven technique. A much greater danger to the life and health of the child is the pinching of the hernial sac. To avoid it, it is better to carry out surgery as early as possible.
