Hiatal hernia in infants and young children: A 2-to 3-year follow-up study

Abstract

Nine children were evaluated two to three years after institution of either medical or surgical management of their hiatal herniae. Four children treated medically ranged from 6 to 16 months of age. There were clinically cured of symptoms and one clinically improved, indicating the efficacy of medical management in some young children. The fifth medically treated child, age 10 years, was also clinically improved. Four children initially had surgical hiatal hernia repair: one (16 days old) because of pulmonary aspiration with associated cardiorespiratory arrest, two (ages 3 and 6 years) because medical management failed, and one (age 7 years) who presented with an esophageal stricture. Surgery for hiatal herniae in children should be reserved for patients in whom medical management has failed or for patients with serious complications.