Hiatal hernia facts for kids

A hiatal hernia is a kind of hernia in which abdominal organs, usually the stomach, slip through the diaphragm. This may result in gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD) or heartburn. There are other symptoms, like dysphagia (or trouble swallowing) and chest pain. Other problems may include bowel obstruction and iron deficiency anemia.

The most common risk factors are obesity and older age. Other risk factors are scoliosis, injury and several types of surgery.

Between ten and eighty percent of people in the United States are affected with hiatal hernias.

The symptoms from a hiatal hernia might be improved by changes, like weight loss, changing eating patterns and raising the head of a bed.

Images for kids

A large hiatal hernia on chest X-ray marked by open arrows in contrast to the heart borders marked by closed arrows
This hiatal hernia is mainly identified by an air-fluid level (labeled with arrows).
A hiatal hernia as seen on CT
A large hiatal hernia as seen on CT imaging
A large hiatal hernia as seen on CT imaging