A hernia in a baby occurs when there is a weakness in the abdominal wall where tissue, typically intestines or fat, can project through and cause a bulge. In babies, hernias usually develop when openings in the abdominal wall do not close, allowing the intestines or other organs to push through the openings. These openings are normal in babies and typically close before or right after birth. However, in some cases, the openings do not fully close, and a loop of intestine can move into the opening through the weak spot in the belly wall, causing a hernia. The following are some of the risk factors that increase a childs risk of hernia:

• Birth weight: Hernias are more common in premature, underweight babies.
• Being born early or premature.
• A parent or sibling who had a hernia as an infant.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Developmental dysplasia of the hip.
• Undescended testes.
• Abnormalities of the genitourinary system.

Inguinal and umbilical hernias are the most common types of hernias in babies and children. Inguinal hernias occur in the groin area, while umbilical hernias occur around the belly button. In boys, inguinal hernias are more common because of the inguinal canal, which lets the testicles move from the belly to the scrotum, and sometimes, the canal doesnt fully close. In girls, inguinal hernias may contain part of their reproductive system, such as an ovary[[6]](https://my.clevelandclinic...