Which type of hernia is more commonly observed in infants?

The indirect inguinal hernia is the type most commonly observed in infants due to its association with developmental anatomy. This form of hernia occurs when abdominal contents, such as a portion of the intestine, protrude through the inguinal canal, which is a passage in the lower abdominal wall. In infants, the inguinal canal is not fully developed, making it more susceptible to this type of hernia.

Indirect inguinal hernias can occur either during fetal development or shortly after birth, primarily due to a failure of the processus vaginalis—an embryonic structure that should close before birth. If it fails to close, the risk of herniation increases, which is why this type is particularly prevalent in newborns and younger children.

In contrast, direct inguinal hernias and femoral hernias are less common in infants. Direct inguinal hernias usually occur due to weakening of the abdominal wall over time, generally seen in older adults rather than in infants. Similarly, femoral hernias are more prevalent in women and often develop later in life, making them infrequent in the pediatric population. Umbilical hernias are also common in infants, but they differ in their mechanism of occurrence and typically resolve on