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| Main > School Age > Common Problems
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Hernia
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| A hernia occurs when a tissue or body part moves out of the body cavity in which in normally lies. Umbilical hernias are the most common and should have resolved by the time your child is six years old. If your school age child still has an umbilical hernia, then it is unlikely to go away on its own and it will need to be repaired.
Inguinal hernias are also common and cause a bulging in the groin area or scrotum. This type of hernia always needs to be repaired and will not correct on its own.
Most hernias are reducible, meaning that you can gently push them back to their normal body site. An irreducible hernia can't be returned to its normal body cavity and can become swollen and fixed in place (incarcerated hernia) and then painful and cut off from circulation (strangulated hernia). Irreducible hernias that become painful are medical emergencies and should be immediately evaluated by your physician or in the emergency room for treatment.
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