Pediatrician urges parents to seek early help

A Pediatrician with the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Kunle Otuneyem, on Friday advised mothers to consult their doctors when they observe abnormal swelling around the scrotum of their male children.

Otuneye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the abnormal swelling could be identified as hernia when diagnosed by a doctor.

According to him, hernia, which is common in male children, is usually an abnormal opening in the body cavity where the internal organs passes through

“The common type of hernia in children is the inguinal and umbilical hernia, inguinal occurs when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the groin muscle.

“Most inguinal hernias happen because an opening in the muscle wall does not close before birth as it should.

“The umbilical involve protrusion of intra abdominal contents through a weakness at the site of passage of the umbilical cord through the abdominal wall,” Otuneye said.

He said there are different kinds of hernia, each requiring a specific management or treatment