Umbilical Hernia In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A hernia (HER-nee-ah) happens when tissue or part of an organ bulges out of its normal place in the body. An umbilical (um-BIL-i-kal) hernia is when something from the abdomen (belly) slips out of place. This causes a lump or bulge in the area of the navel ("belly button"). The hernia may contain fluid, part of an organ (such as the intestine), or other tissue from the abdomen. Umbilical hernias usually do not cause any problems and often go away on their own. Surgery may be needed if a loop of intestine becomes trapped or loses its blood supply.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Keep a written list of what medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the pill bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any other medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
    
    
  • Always give your child's medicine as directed by caregivers. Call a caregiver if you think the medicines are not helping or are causing side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver. If your child is on antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), give them until they are gone, even if your child seems fine.
    
    
  • Never give aspirin to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to make sure your child's medicine does not have aspirin.
  
  
• Follow-up visit information: Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have about your child's hernia and how it is treated. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

For more information: Contact the following to learn more about hernias and their treatment:

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
  2 Information Way
  Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
  Phone: 1-800-8915389
  Web Address: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov
  

• American College of Surgeons
  633 N. Saint Clair St.
  Chicago, IL 606113211
  Phone: 1-312-2025000
  Phone: 1-800-6214111
  Web Address: http://www.facs.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child is crying more than normal, or he seems like he is in pain.
  
  
• Your child has vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You cannot gently push your child's hernia back into his abdomen, if a caregiver has shown you how to do this.
  
  
• Your child has trouble having a BM.
  
  
• Your child's abdomen seems larger, rounder, or more "full" than normal.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• The hernia is stuck outside the abdomen and is painful, swollen, or feels hard.
  
  
• Your child stops having BMs and stops passing gas.
  
  
• Your child has blood in his BM.
  
  
• Abdominal (belly) pain that is bad or getting worse.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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