A Case of Pediatric Inguinal Hernia

A 12-month-old male, born via cesarean delivery at 35 weeks gestation, presented with a three-day history of intermittent right inguinal swelling noted by his parents. The swelling became more prominent with crying or coughing and reduced spontaneously when the child was calm. He had no vomiting, fever, abdominal distension, or feeding difficulties. Physical examination revealed a soft, reducible, non-tender swelling in the right inguinal region extending toward the scrotum, without erythema or induration. The clinical picture was consistent with a reducible indirect inguinal hernia, the most common type in infants and the result of incomplete closure of the processus vaginalis. The patient was referred to pediatric surgery for elective repair within fourteen days to prevent incarceration. This case underscores that inguinal hernia in infants is a clinical diagnosis, that prematurity and male sex are key risk factors, and that timely surgical referral is essential to avoid the morbidity associated with strangulation.