Why do babies get syringomyelia or inguinal hernia? In male babies, the testicles gradually descend from the tummy to the bottom of the scrotum as they grow, and at this time a pouch descends into the scrotum at the same time, which we call the “sphincter” (female babies have a similar structure). This pouch normally closes shortly and becomes a cord. However, if it does not close, we call it “unclosed sphincter”, what happens then? 1. The upper and lower sphincter does not close, but the opening is small and only water can pass through. 2. The middle of the spermatic cord is not closed, forming localized fluid, which is a spermatic syringomyelia. 3.The upper part of the sphincter is closed, but only the lower part of the sphincter is not closed, this is testicular syringomyelia. 4. The pouch is not only not closed, but the opening is relatively large, and things in the stomach such as small intestine can fall down, which is inguinal hernia. So why would different doctors diagnose it differently? This is because the intestines inside the inguinal hernia go in and out. The doctor diagnoses syringomyelia when the intestine is not in the bag when he examines it. The baby is often lying flat when the ultrasound is done, and most of the intestines are in the stomach at that time, so it is also misdiagnosed. Isn’t there a transillumination test to determine that? Actually, transillumination is not completely accurate. As mentioned earlier, if the internal organs are not in the bag, they are also translucent. The walls of the small intestine of a baby are very thin and can sometimes be translucent. So is the baby a syringomyelia, or an inguinal hernia? Method 1: Take a detailed medical history, changes in the size of the baby’s pouch, whether there is simultaneous vomiting or difficulty in passing stool, or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Method 2: Let the baby stand, hold the breath forcefully, cough or cry for a while, and check again when the mass is the largest. Pay attention to the warmth of the room and the warmth of the doctor’s hands. Cold not only makes the baby susceptible to cold, but cold stimulation of the inguinal canal will contract and the hernia will hide. Method 3: The baby should likewise be fully prepared during the ultrasound examination as above, not only to see if the bag is filled with water or internal organs, but also to see the size of the bag opening. Sometimes the small intestine burrows in and out of the opening. ”It’s going to be surgery anyway, so what the heck?” Although the surgery for a baby syringomyelia and an inguinal hernia are said to be almost identical, they do not have the same surgical indications. Syringomyelia has no risk of impaction and has less impact on the reproductive system, so most can be operated on after the baby is 4 years old. Inguinal hernia requires a comprehensive assessment of the condition and risk and close observation. Surgery is decisive and timely when necessary. Every parent of a baby with a hernia should learn to retract the hernia on their own, just in case.