The objective of this study was to analyze the etiologic factors possibly associated with the development of recurrent groin hernias in infants and children. For this purpose we analyzed the records of 2754 pediatric patients operated on for primary hernias between 1966 and 1990 at our department who have not had recurrences. They were compared with 28 boys and 4 girls we treated for recurrent hernias during the same period. We found an indirect hernia in 29 cases, a direct hernia in 4 patients, and a femoral hernia in 1 child at the time of reoperation. A significantly high recurrence rate was found to be associated with incarceration (21.9% versus 7.6%), postoperative complications (9.4% versus 1.8%), concomitant diseases (31.2% versus 5.7%), and premature birth. Day case treatment was closely related to concomitant diseases. No impact on the development of recurrences was seen for the surgeons' educational level and the time of day the surgery was performed. Knowledge of the factors contributing to hernia recurrence and perfect surgical technique with reduction of incarcerated hernias and early elective operation may result in fewer recurrences in infants and children.