What Should You Do If Your Baby Has an Umbilical Hernia?

Umbilical hernia in infants arises when the intestine or the resulting edema bursts from a weak point in the baby's muscle tissue. It manifests itself with swelling under the baby's groin or just below the navel. In case of an umbilical hernia, an image appears as if the baby's navel is absent. Small hernias can be seen in many babies. Here are the causes, symptoms and treatment of hernia in newborn babies and umbilical hernia in babies...

Causes of Umbilical Hernia in Babies

There is a small gap in the muscle tissue in the area where the umbilical cord attaches to the umbilical cord to make room for the vessels in the umbilical cord. This gap usually closes slowly before birth. In some babies, this closure may be delayed. In this case, adipose tissue or intestines jump out of this gap, causing an umbilical hernia.

Symptoms of Umbilical Hernia in Newborns

Umbilical hernias in newborn babies can be seen within a few weeks after birth. Although this situation is usually limited to the postpartum period, umbilical hernias can also occur in small babies. The symptoms of umbilical hernia in babies are as follows;

• If there is soft swelling around the belly button,
• If this swelling is displaced by contact,
• The swelling becomes more noticeable when your baby cries, strains, coughs or uses their abdominal muscles.

You may suspect an umbilical hernia. The dimensions of the umbilical hernia are usually small, with an average diameter of 2.5 cm, and the baby does not feel pain due to the hernia.

Note: If your baby has vomiting, bloating and pain in the abdomen, it is recommended to apply to the nearest health institution immediately. This may be an indication that the intestine may be trapped in the aforementioned abdominal cavity.

Diagnosis of Umbilical Hernia

When your baby has an umbilical hernia; When your baby cries or pushes, there will be temporary swelling in the navel. This swelling goes away on its own when the baby relaxes. These swellings are soft bumps that go in easily when pressed with a finger. When pressing on the swelling, a "gluk" sound can be heard, usually due to the displacement of air and water in the intestines.

Treatment of Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical hernia seen in babies usually closes on its own without any intervention until the baby is one year old. However, if your baby is three years old and still has an umbilical hernia, this hernia may need to be treated with surgery. It is stated that if the baby's intestine is stuck in the hernia, the baby should be operated as soon as possible. Although this problem is rarely seen in infants, it causes serious problems if left untreated. Hernia surgery in babies is a risk and a simple operation. It is important for your baby's health that you follow your doctor's solution recommendation in this regard.

How is an umbilical hernia in babies?

If your baby has a hernia, it is recommended that you be under the control of a pediatrician. It is stated that there is no benefit in wrapping the hernia in the baby, which is common in Anatolia. At the same time, there is no herbal or chemical treatment for umbilical hernia. It is recommended that it is the best method to wait until a certain time (1 year old) under the supervision of a doctor without any intervention. Experts say that hernias smaller than 3 cm seen in babies have a 97 percent chance of spontaneous resolving without surgery until the age of 3 years. It is stated that only 3 percent of babies in this situation have a hernia after 3 years of age and only then requires surgery. If the baby's hernia is larger than 3 cm, it is recommended to be operated on by experts without delay.

Contact Your Doctor

The hernia seen in babies may increase with the crying and straining of the baby. During this period, the baby may feel some pain with the bowel coming out. Therefore, it is recommended not to make the baby cry as much as possible. If your baby has a hernia and cries a lot, or if you notice something strange in your baby, it is recommended that you consult your doctor.