About this topic
A hernia starts with a weak place in your babys belly wall around the belly button. Then the lining of your child's belly can push through the weak place and form a sack. A hernia looks like a bulge or swelling on the outside of your child's belly. It can push out when your child is active or crying but may flatten when your child is relaxed. Most often, this type of hernia fixes itself with time. If the hernia is very big or does not go away by the time your child is 3 or 4, then a surgery may be needed. Umbilical hernias are more common in babies who are born early. ‚
In a very small number of children, an umbilical hernia may cause more severe problems. A piece of the bowel may get caught or twisted in the hernia. This is an emergency and needs to be fixed quickly. ‚
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What are the causes?
Before your child was born, the muscles around your childs belly were forming. After your child was born, those belly muscles should have gotten stronger and sealed off around the belly button. Sometimes, that does not happen right after birth and a hernia can develop. ‚
What are the main signs?
A lump near or around your childs belly button that is: ‚
- Soft
- Swollen
- Painless
- Gets larger in size with activity
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your childs doctor will find the hernia when doing an exam. The doctor may: ‚
- Feel the belly for a bulge or lump
- Check to see if hernia can be pushed back into your belly
- Ask your child to cough or bend to feel the lump better
The doctor may order an ultrasound to check the internal organs of your child's belly ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
The doctor will most often just watch the hernia. It will likely go away on its own. Surgery is needed if the hernia is painful or does not go away on its own. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There is no way to prevent this type of hernia. ‚
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/surgical/hernia.html# ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Umbilicalhernia/Pages/Whatisitpage.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚