Umbilical hernias are common, occurring in 10 percent to 20 percent of all children. They are, however, more common in African-Americans. Low birth weight and premature infants are also more likely to have an umbilical hernia.
Boys and girls are equally affected. As the fetus develops during pregnancy, there is a small opening in the abdominal muscles that allows the umbilical cord to pass through, connecting mother to baby. As the baby grows after birth, this opening in the abdominal muscles closes. Sometimes, however, these muscles do not meet and grow together completely, and a small opening remains. This opening is called an umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernias appear as a bulge or swelling in the belly button area.
How Are Umbilical Hernias Diagnosed? How Are Umbilical Hernias Treated? Surgery is done only if: the hernia doesn't close by age 4 or 5 the hernia becomes incarcerated can't be easily reduced To operate, doctors will: Give anesthesia so the child sleeps through the procedure and won't feel any pain. Make a small incision cut in the skin. Move the intestine back into place. Close the hole or weak spot in the muscle with stitches.
Close the incision with absorbable sutures under the skin and tape strips. These will fall off on their own in 7—10 days. When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call right away if: The hernia gets larger, seems swollen, or is hard. The hernia sticks out when your child is sleeping, calm, or lying down and you can't push it back in. Your child is very cranky or seems to be in pain. So I started exercising to try to get stronger, and I feel great. The hernia hasn't ever really bothered me, except for how it looks.
So I don't feel like it's worth having surgery now. I've had a small umbilical hernia for several years but have basically ignored it. I'm not a big believer in letting people cut on my body, so I wanted to avoid surgery at all costs. But the hernia is really starting to bug me now, and it's gotten bigger and it looks weird.
So I've got an appointment to talk to my doctor about surgery. I'm a nurse, and sometimes I have to lift patients and other heavy things. One day, after helping a patient transfer into a wheelchair, I felt something weird in my abdomen.
Later, I noticed a bulge in my belly button. My doctor said it may have happened because I've gained quite a bit of weight lately. I've decided to go ahead and have it fixed since it's kind of painful and it could be a problem with my work. Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts.
Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. My hernia is keeping me from doing daily activities or from returning to work. I want to have the hernia repaired while my insurance or worker's compensation will help cover the costs. I will be traveling to an area where health care may not be available, so I want to take care of this now. I have no plans to travel to places where health care may not be available.
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
One reason for me to have surgery for my umbilical hernia is to prevent a rare but serious problem called strangulation. I need surgery even though my hernia is small and doesn't bother me. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Get the facts. Your options Have surgery now to repair your umbilical hernia, even if you don't have symptoms.
Take a "wait and see" approach to surgery because the hernia doesn't bother you much. Key points to remember Hernias don't go away on their own.
Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. If the hernia is small and you don't have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don't bother you much, you and your doctor may simply continue to watch for symptoms to occur. Many doctors recommend surgery because it prevents a rare but serious problem called strangulation.
Check the facts. Yes You're right. There's a good chance that your child's umbilical hernia will close on its own. No Sorry, that's not right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. There are some rare risks, such as part of the intestine getting trapped in the hernia sac. Yes You are right. Your child may need surgery if the hernia is very large or if a hernia of any size has not gone away by age 5. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action.
I want to discuss the options with others. I want to learn more about my options. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Your Summary. Your decision Next steps. Which way you're leaning. How sure you are. Your comments. Your knowledge of the facts Key concepts that you understood. Key concepts that may need review. Getting ready to act Patient choices. What matters to you. Print Summary. Credits and References Credits. Carlo WA The umbilicus. In RM Kliegman et al.
Philadelphia: Saunders. Snyder CL Current management of umbilical abnormalities and related anomalies. Seminars in Pediatric Surgery, 16 1 : 41— Get the facts Compare your options What matters most to you?
Get the Facts Your options Schedule surgery to fix the hernia. Compare your options Have surgery Wait and see if hernia heals on its own What is usually involved? Your child will have general anesthesia and go home on the same day as the surgery. Your child will need follow-up visits with the doctor to see if the hernia is closing on its own.
Check the facts 1. Do most umbilical hernias close on their own? Yes No I'm not sure. You're right. Are there any risks to having an umbilical hernia? Are there some kinds of hernias that require surgery?
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