What complication is an infant with a hydrocele at greater risk for developing?

An infant with a hydrocele is at greater risk for developing an inguinal hernia due to the relationship between these two conditions. A hydrocele occurs when there is an accumulation of fluid in the tunica vaginalis surrounding the testes, which often happens when the processus vaginalis, an extension of peritoneum, fails to close properly after birth. If this processus vaginalis remains patent, it can create a pathway for abdominal contents to move into the scrotum, leading to an inguinal hernia.

Inguinal hernias in infants can often be asymptomatic but pose risks such as incarceration or strangulation of herniated tissue, which necessitates timely intervention. On the other hand, while testicular torsion, ventral hernia, and cryptorchidism are important conditions, they do not have the same direct correlation with the presence of a hydrocele as inguinal hernias do. This makes inguinal hernia the most relevant complication to be vigilant about in an infant with hydrocele.