Epidemiology of Inguinal Hernia in Preterm Neonates

Abstract

We have studied the epidemiology of inguinal hernias in preterm infants. Inguinal hernias occur with increased frequency in infants ≤32 weeks' gestational age or ≤1,250 g birth weight. Among infants ≤32 weeks' gestational age, intrauterine growth retardation significantly increases the risk for development of inguinal hernias, especially in male infants. Our data demonstrate a previously unrecognized association between neonatal inguinal hernia and intrauterine growth retardation.