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Overview

A hiatal hernia occurs when the top part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm (the muscle separating the abdomen and the chest). Everyone has a small opening in this area, known as a hiatus. An unusually large hiatus can lead to a hiatal hernia. This condition can occur in a child of any age.

There are three main types of hiatal hernias:

Symptoms of Hiatal Hernia

Small hiatal hernias may not cause any symptoms and can remain undetected. Larger hiatal hernias can cause troublesome symptoms and usually requires treatment. Signs and symptoms of larger hiatal hernias may include:

When to see a doctor

Take your child to see a pediatrician (doctor who specializes in treating children) right away if they experience any of the above symptoms.

Causes of Hiatal Hernia

Causes of this condition can include:

Who’s at risk

Being born with a large hiatus or having suffered an injury to the upper abdomen can put a child at an increased risk of developing a hiatal hernia.


Request an Appointment

Contact an Orlando Health doctor

If you suspect that your child may have a hiatal hernia, make an appointment with an Orlando Health pediatrician today so your child can start on the road to improved health.