Abstract
Inguinal hernias are one of the most common conditions requiring surgery in children. Incidence: 1-4%. Incidence highest in premature infants, 16−25%. Approximately one-third of children present less than 6 months of age.
Sex: male:female ratio reported between 3:1 to 10:1. 60% right side, in both males and females.10% bilateral. Almost always indirect. 1% direct, more likely in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) or chronic cough in later childhood. About 1% femoral.
Patients with left-sided hernias are more likely to develop right-sided hernia than vice versa. Family history positive in 25%, twin 10% in male twins and 4% in female twins.