Umbilical hernia is a very common abnormality of the navel - depression in the center of the belly marking the site of attachment of the umbilical cord - that occurs in most babies' first years of life. Let’s learn further about this infant umbilical hernia disorder, what causes an umbilical hernia, possible operations and cures for umbilical hernia.
Umbilical hernia happens when the umbilical ring is fails to shut appropriately, making the abdominal content sticks out under the skin through the umbilical hole and in turn leading to the swelling of the belly button or navel. Apart from being "in-aesthetic", umbilical hernia raises no major physiological issues and there is almost nothing to be worried about.
What causes an umbilical hernia?
The umbilical hole, or the umbilicus, or the navel is the healed scar situated in the lower abdominal area. Through it the umbilical cord enters the body while the infant is still inside his mother, and through the cord vital substances are passed to the fetus. After birth the umbilical cord is cut off and the small opening that remains should quickly close in. But, in some cases it does not close as it should, so a small 'crack' remains open. In these cases a part of the abdominal content, the intestines usually, pokes through this opening, contributing to infant umbilical hernia.
Common symptoms of umbilical hernia
This type of hernia is a mild form of hernia that doesn't interfere with the normal development of the infant. The swelling of the belly button induces babies a state of local discomfort and sometimes a small degree of soreness. The bulb (like stomach swelling) that is created is more visible when the child coughs, sneezes, or cries. In some cases, umbilical hernia can be accentuated by the infants' movement and straining. The disorder doesn't generate any other symptoms and it involves no risk of complication. Although infant umbilical hernia may sound and look serious, the disorder is in fact a very mild physiological affection. Umbilical hernia operations are rarely needed in most cases.
Risk factors
Umbilical hernia is a post-natal abnormality of the belly button that occurs in more than 10 percent of all babies. This umbilical abnormality is commonly developed by girls and prematurely born infants and it is usually revealed in babies older than 6 months, rarely occurring prior to this age.
Diagnosing infant umbilical hernia
Umbilical hernia can be easily revealed by a physical examination and the process of diagnosing the disorder doesn't involve performing additional tests.
Cures for umbilical hernia
Unlike other forms of hernia (such as epigastric hernias, hiatal hernia, etc.), which commonly require operative intervention, the cures for umbilical hernia rarely involves operation. It generally disappears on itself within the babies' first years of life. Commonly, the hernia shrinks and heals by itself when the child reaches the age of 3. Statistics also indicate that more than 90 percent of umbilical hernias disappear by the age of 12 months without medical intervention.
When medical intervention is needed or demanded, doctors usually choose to correct infant umbilical hernia through other means rather than through umbilical hernia operations because of the mild character of the disorder. In order to correct this type of hernia, doctors usually choose to strap up the umbilical region with sterile bandages after carefully pushing the prominent extremities of the belly button back into place. After the belly button has been correctly positioned, the straps will prevent it from sticking out, allowing the belly ring to heal properly. By using this technique, infant umbilical hernia heals very fast, leaving babies with no visible scars.
However, in more severe cases, the disorder does require medical intervention such as umbilical hernia operations. This happens if the hernia persist for a few years (rarely, umbilical hernia can even persist until kindergarten or primary school), causing children further distress and discomfort, or if the hernia strangulates the tissue that pushes out, cutting its blood supply. If this happens operative intervention should be done as soon as possible.
Umbilical hernia operations succeed in 99.99% cases, especially if the doctor's indications about the short recovery period that comes after the surgery are carefully followed. It’s very simple and doesn’t involve any risks. The incisions performed during the surgical intervention are small and they heal without leaving any permanent marks.
Conclusion
Infant umbilical hernia is caused by an improper close of the umbilical ring leading to the protrusion of the abdominal content through the umbilical hole. Symptoms of umbilical hernia include swelling of the navel, mild discomfort and soreness. Generally it is not dangerous at all in most cases don’t need further treatments or cures for umbilical hernia include umbilical hernia operations it will most likely push back on its own. But if you suspect any complications visit a healthcare provider as soon as you can.