Incidence of inguinal hernia in children with congenital cerebral palsy

The incidence of inguinal hernia among 247 children with cerebral palsy was ascertained. During the first year of life, 20 of the 153 boys developed hernia, as did one of the 94 girls. Among boys with birthweights of 1000 to 2000g the incidence was 31 per cent, which is twice the rate for normal children. The incidence among boys with birthweights greater than 2000g was 8 per cent. A comparison group could not be found, but this incidence appears to be excessive, considering the reported normal incidence of 1 to 4 per cent in boys. The authors recommend routine examination for inguinal hernia, particularly for boys with birthweights less than 2000g and with spastic tetraplegia. Conversely, one should be alert to the possibility of concurrent spasticity in preterm males with inguinal hernia.