Hiatus Hernia and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux in Children

Abstract

Between 1953 and 1967, only 13 cases of true hiatal hernia were seen at the Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, the largest paediatric centre in Finland. Follow-up data on 62 infants or children with radiologically diagnosed gastro-oesophageal reflux did not reveal further cases of hiatus hernia. Seven patients were operated on. Oesophageal stricture following peptic oesophagitis was seen in one case only. The relatively low incidence of hiatus hernia in Finland is considered to be real and not merely due to ignorance of the condition and failure to diagnose it correctly.