INFANTILE HERNIA Meaning and
Definition
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Infantile hernia, also known as a congenital hernia or umbilical hernia, is a medical condition in which a protrusion occurs in the abdominal area of a newborn or young infant. It is characterized by a bulge or swelling near the navel, resulting from the intestines or other abdominal organs pushing through a weakened area of the abdominal wall. The weakness is typically due to an incomplete closure of the abdominal muscles at the site of the umbilical cord, which occurs during fetal development.
This type of hernia is relatively common in infants, occurring in approximately 10% of newborns. It is typically harmless and painless, and often does not cause any discomfort or other symptoms. The bulge or swelling may appear more noticeable when the baby is crying, coughing, or straining during activities such as bowel movements. However, it usually disappears or reduces in size when the infant is calm or lying down.
Infantile hernias are usually self-limiting and tend to resolve on their own within the first couple of years of life. However, in some cases, the hernia may persist beyond this age, or complications such as incarceration or strangulation may arise. In such instances, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair the hernia and prevent further complications.
In summary, infantile hernia refers to the protrusion of the intestines or other abdominal organs through a weak spot in the abdominal wall near the navel in newborns or young infants. It is usually harmless and resolves naturally, but in some cases, surgery may be required to address complications or persistent hernias.
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A form in which an intestinal loop descends behind the tunica vaginalis, having, therefore, three peritoneal layers in front of it.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for INFANTILE HERNIA
- infantile hernic
- infantileheernia
- infantilehehrnia
- innfantilehernia
- infauntilehernia
- i nfantile hernia
- in fantile hernia
- inf antile hernia
- infa ntile hernia
- infan tile hernia
- infant ile hernia
- infanti le hernia
- infantil e hernia
- infantile h ernia
- infantile he rnia
- infantile her nia
- infantile hern ia
- infantile herni a
Etymology of INFANTILE HERNIA
The term "infantile hernia" is a medical term used to describe a specific type of hernia that occurs in infants.
The word "infantile" is derived from the Latin word "infans", which means "not speaking" or "speechless". It refers to a young child who is not yet able to speak. In this context, "infantile" is used to describe the hernia as occurring in infants or young children.
The word "hernia" originated from the Latin word "hernia", meaning "rupture" or "protrusion". It refers to an abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissues through an opening or weak spot in the surrounding muscles or connective tissues.
