Umbilical Hernia in Children - Topic Overview

Topic Overview

What is an umbilical hernia?

An umbilical hernia is a bulge in the abdominal wall within the navel that sometimes contains abdominal tissue, a loop of intestine, fat, or fluid. An umbilical hernia is usually present at birth. But it is often not noticeable until the umbilical cord stump falls off, a few days to a couple of weeks after birth. Normally, umbilical hernias are not painful or dangerous.

Umbilical hernias can vary in size from less than 1 cm (0.4 in.) to more than 4 cm (1.6 in.) across. However, they rarely measure more than 2 cm (0.8 in.) across.

What causes an umbilical hernia?

The ring of muscle and other tissue that forms where blood vessels in the umbilical cord enter a fetus's body is known as the umbilical ring. Normally the umbilical ring closes prior to birth. If it does not, tissue may bulge through the opening or weak spot through the navel.

It is not known exactly what prevents complete closure of the umbilical ring, but many factors that affect the developing fetus are probably involved. For example, in premature infants, it may be that the abdominal wall is not fully developed before birth.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of an umbilical hernia is a soft bulge under the skin of the navel. You may be able to push part of the hernia so that it temporarily moves back into the abdomen. The hernia may be more noticeable when your child sits or stands upright or strains abdominal muscles during normal activities such as crying, coughing, or having a bowel movement.

How is an umbilical hernia diagnosed?

A health professional can usually diagnose an umbilical hernia by examining your child's abdomen and evaluating the size, shape, and appearance of the hernia.

How is it treated?

Most umbilical hernias close on their own without treatment by the time the child is age 4 or 5 years, and usually within the first year of life. Surgery typically is needed to repair an umbilical hernia that persists after age 4 or 5, because it is unlikely to close on its own.

The likelihood that an umbilical hernia will heal on its own depends in part on how large it is.

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