[header] How to treat a child's hernia [title] Learn about hiatal hernias. [step] Hiatal hernias occur when the stomach protrudes into and through the diaphragm muscle (and the gap) between the chest and abdomen. In severe cases, this allows food and stomach acid to move up into the esophagus. 
[substeps] Some children are born with hiatal hernias. In fact, this is more common than developing them during childhood.