The hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm. It allows the esophagus to pass from the chest area into the stomach. A paraesophageal hernia occurs when the lower part of the esophagus or the stomach bulge up through the hiatus into the chest. It is a type of hiatal hernia.
In most cases, when a child has a paraesophageal hernia, it is something they are born with.
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What are the signs and symptoms of a paraesophageal hernia?
Some paraesophageal hernias do not cause any symptoms. If your child does have symptoms, they may include:
- Reflux or heartburn
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Swallowing problems
- Burping
What causes a paraesophageal hernia?
Experts don’t know what causes paraesophageal hernias in children. In most cases, it is a condition the child is born with.
How are paraesophageal hernias treated?
Most paraesophageal hernias that cause symptoms will need to be treated with surgery. Connecticut Children’s experienced surgeons perform this surgery using small incisions and laparoscopic techniques. During surgery, the intestines are moved back into the abdomen and the surgeon puts stiches or a special mesh around the hiatus to make the opening smaller. This prevents another hernia from forming.