Child health · UKMLA & AKT
Inguinal hernia
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Protrusion of abdominal contents through the anterior abdominal wall into the inguinal canal - produces a visible/palpable groin bulge
- In children: virtually all are indirect - caused by a patent processus vaginalis
- Affects ~1-3% of children; male:female 7:1; right-sided predominance (right testis descends later)
- Premature infants at highest risk - processus vaginalis almost invariably patent at birth
Direct hernias are rare in children - if present, suspect a connective tissue disorder (Ehlers-Danlos, Marfan's syndrome).
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