hemorrhoids

A hemorrhoid is a dilated vein in the anal canal that may protrude through the anus. There is not much to say about hemorrhoids in children; they are very uncommon and usually benign.

The only point of real note is that when a hemorrhoid is seen in a child, the doctor must suspect portal hypertension. Portal hypertension refers to increased back pressure in the portal vein that carries blood from the digestive tract to the liver, and diseases that affect the liver can cause it.

Finding a hemorrhoid in an infant sometimes happens, but these are very benign. Thrombosis (clotting) or other complications of hemorrhoids just don't happen in children; therefore hemorrhoids are left pretty much alone (with some common sense counsel to keep the stools soft and the bottom as non-irritated as possible).

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