Who gets inguinal hernias?
Inguinal hernias are the most common hernias that are not caused by an incision in the abdominal wall.
In children
- The risk of developing hernias is higher for infants born prematurely or with low birth weight than it is for other babies.
- Out of 100 full-term infants, 3 to 5 will have hernias.1
- Inguinal hernias are more common on the right side (about 60%) than on the left side (about 30%). About 10% of children with hernias have them on both sides.1
In adults
- About 3% to 5% of men older than 45 develop inguinal hernias.2
- About 65% to 70% of groin hernias in men and women result because the opening to the inguinal canal does not close before birth (indirect hernia).2
- About 30% of hernias in men occur from normal aging and wear and tear (direct hernias), and about 1% to 2% are hernias of the upper thigh (femoral). The reverse is true for women—30% have femoral hernias and 1% to 2% have direct hernias.2
| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: May 16, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
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