INGUINAL-HERNIA IN VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT CHILDREN - A CONTINUING RISK TO AGE 8 YEARS

The prevalence of inguinal hernia repair up to 8 years of age was determined in 205 inborn children of birthweight < 1500 g who had survived to the age of 8 years; 37 (18.0%) of the children required surgery for inguinal hernia, significantly more frequently for boys than girls (32.0% and 3.9% respectively). The cumulative percentage of inguinal hernia operations in boys was 8.7% during primary hospitalization, 20.4% by 2 years, 30.1% by 5 years and 32.0% by 8 years; 36.4% (12 of 33) hernias in boys occurred beyond 2 years of age. The risk of hernia in boys was only marginally higher in those who required assisted ventilation and in those of birthweight < 1000 g. Very low birthweight infants, particularly boys, are at risk of developing an inguinal hernia not only in infancy but also to at least 8 years of age.