Hydrocele Treatment In Babies
There are usually no adverse health problems associated with hydroceles. They mostly disappear on their own after the first year of birth. Learn more about this condition.
Written by Dr Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Did you know that studies suggest 10% of male infants suffer from hydrocele at birth?
Hydrocele refers to a condition when fluid fills a normal sac in the scrotum. It can affect either one side of the scrotum or both sides. When a hydrocele is detected around both the testicles of a male child, it is known as a bilateral hydrocele.
Hydroceles are typically part of the fetal development. This means infants who develop this condition are usually born with it. Generally, during the development process, each testicle is surrounded by a naturally occurring sac that contains fluid. Under normal circumstances, the sac closes itself, and the fluid gets absorbed by the body during the child’s first year. But this does not happen for babies with a hydrocele.
Symptoms of Hydrocele in Babies
Male infants with hydroceles usually do not experience any pain. The most common symptoms of this condition include,
A smooth lump on either one or both sides of the scrotum
Swelling of the scrotum,
Fluctuating scrotum size, meaning the swollen area might get smaller at night and larger during activity
However, it is important to note that the intensity of pain/discomfort may change depending on the severity of the swelling. Adults who suffer from hydroceles usually experience a feeling of heaviness in their scrotum.
Diagnosing Hydrocele in Infants
A physical examination is generally required to detect hydroceles in individuals. It can be easily diagnosed by a healthcare worker by shining a light through the scrotum. This process is known as transillumination. If there is fluid present, then the scrotum will appear to light up as the light passes through.
In some cases, a healthcare professional might recommend an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. This is only performed when there is significant, sustained scrotal swelling.
Types of Hydrocele in Babies
Hydrocele in babies can be categorised into two different types. They are,
Communicating Hydrocele
This occurs when the pouch that holds the testes does not close fully. It causes a small amount of abdominal fluid to flow in and out of the thin pouch. As a result, the size of the hydrocele might change frequently. It might appear to be smaller early in the day and larger in the evening.
Non-communicating Hydrocele
In non-communicating hydrocele, there is absolutely zero relation between the abdominal cavity and the sac in the scrotum. It is more common in babies. It usually goes away on its own by the first year and does not require any external treatment. \
Potential Causes and Risk Factors
Based on the age and circumstances of the person, a hydrocele can be caused by several factors.
Congenital hydrocele: As mentioned earlier, male infants can have small hydroceles present at birth. In most cases, they go away on their own within the first year.
Injury/trauma: If a person suffers from injury or trauma to their scrotum, it can cause inflammation and fluid buildup. This can trigger hydrocele.
Infections: A hydrocele can also develop in the aftermath of an infection in the scrotum area. These include orchitis (swelling in one or both testicles) and epididymitis (inflammation of the tube at the back of the testicle).
Ageing: In some cases, older men can develop hydroceles as a part of the ageing process or due to fluid imbalance.
Testicular cancer: Individuals suffering from testicular cancer can also develop hydrocele.
Treatment Options for Hydrocele in Babies
In most cases, especially for babies, if the hydrocele is small and painless, then no external treatment is required. Doctors usually monitor the condition over time to check if it gets resolved on its own. This holds true for adults as well. If the hydrocele is not causing any discomfort, healthcare professionals usually suggest close monitoring.
But, if the hydrocele lasts for more than 12-18 months, then surgery is required. A healthcare professional will first make a small cut in the groin area. The fluid is drained, and the opening to the pouch is closed off to prevent it from collecting again. The total surgery lasts for 30 minutes and is performed under local, general, or spinal anaesthesia.
Recovery and Post-treatment Care
Recovery after a hydrocele surgery is typically fast. Most doctors suggest bed rest only for a day. Here is a general recovery timeline mentioned below.
Week 1: Immediately after the surgery, patients may experience slight discomfort and swelling. Most healthcare professionals usually recommend an ice pack on the incision site and might prescribe some pain medications to manage inflammation.
Week 2: By this time, the swelling and discomfort should have started to decrease. Patients can engage in light physical activities.
Week 3: The swelling will have reduced significantly, and the patient can return to its normal routine.
Week 4: By week four, the patient will have fully recovered, and any remaining swelling will also subside.
Week 5: The patients will have recovered completely from the surgery. If there are any complications, they must consult their healthcare experts.
Complications and When to Seek Medical Help
A hydrocele surgery/hydrocelectomy usually has a high success rate. Nonetheless, all surgical procedures come alongside their own fair share of risks.
Some of the potential complications associated with hydrocelectomy include,
Healing problems
Infection
Bruising/unfavourable scarring
Swelling/mass of clotted blood
Anesthesia risks
If an individual experiences any abnormal symptoms after a hydrocele surgery, they must contact their healthcare provider immediately. Such symptoms may include,
High fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or more)
Worsening pain and swellin
Discolouration in the affected region
Heavy bleeding
Prevention and Child Care Tips
There is no way to prevent a male infant from developing a hydrocele since it is essentially present from birth. However, in the case of adults, individuals can prevent this medical condition by protecting the testes and the scrotum from injury. This includes wearing an athletic cup/jock strap in contact sports.
If a child has recently gone through a hydrocele surgery, it is very important to provide the required aftercare treatment to make sure that they heal fully. These include,
Give him regular analgesia like paracetamol and ibuprofen as instructed by healthcare providers.
Avoiding baths for the first 48 hours after the surgery.
Avoid toys that need to be straddled, like bicycles, and any other vigorous activities for at least two weeks.
Keeping the area as clean and dry as possible to reduce the risk of infections.
Children can resume going back to school after five to seven days of the surgery.
Conclusion
Hydroceles are very common in males, especially children. It is usually not dangerous and does not pose any serious risk to the health. In most cases, hydroceles are asymptomatic and disappear over time.
But, if they don’t and there is persistent swelling in the scrotum area, it is recommended to consult a doctor to rule out any other pathologies. In most cases, the healthcare expert will recommend a hydrocelectomy. It has minimal risk and provides a good outcome. However, proper aftercare, as mentioned above, is important to avoid the chances of any complications.
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