Umbilical Hernia In Children

What is an umbilical hernia?

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 happen most often in children who were born prematurely (too early), or had a low birth weight. They are also more common in girls, and in African-American babies.

Why do umbilical hernias happen?

Every child is born with an umbilical cord attached to their abdomen. This cord brought nutrition to your child before he was born, while he grew inside the womb. The umbilical cord entered your child through a small hole in the muscles of his abdominal wall. The cord was cut after your child was born. This area healed to form your child's navel. The hole in the abdominal wall where the cord entered your child closes as your child grows. Umbilical hernias happen when the muscles of the abdomen do not close completely.

What are the signs and symptoms of an umbilical hernia?

• The most common sign of an umbilical hernia is a bulge or swelling in the area of the navel. You may be able to see the lump, or you may feel it when you gently press on the navel. The hernia may get bigger when your child cries, coughs, strains to have a BM, or sits up. The hernia lump may get smaller or go away when your child is relaxed. Umbilical hernias usually do not cause any pain.
  
  
• Rarely, a loop of intestine may become stuck or trapped in the hernia. This can be very serious, even life threatening. If your child has the following symptoms, call your child's caregiver right away:
  
  
  • Constant crying, or he seems like he is in pain.
    
    
  • Your child's abdomen seems larger, rounder, or more "full" than normal.
    
    
  • The skin over the hernia becomes swollen or red.
    
    
  • Your child has a fever.
    
    
  • Your child has vomiting (throwing up).
    
    
  • Your child has trouble passing a BM, or stops having BMs.
    
    
  • You see blood in your child's BM.

How is an umbilical hernia diagnosed?

Your child's caregiver can usually find the hernia during an exam. The caregiver may check to see if the hernia can be reduced (gently pushed back into the abdomen). Your child may need tests such as x-rays of the abdomen or an ultrasound. These tests will help caregivers decide how to treat your child's hernia, and to check for other problems.

How is an umbilical hernia treated?

Many umbilical hernias go away on their own by age four or five. If your child's hernia does not close on its own, it may need to be fixed with surgery. Your child may need surgery at an earlier age if the hernia is very large. Your child may need surgery right away if a loop of intestine becomes trapped in the hernia.

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
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

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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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