Symptoms of infant umbilical hernia

Written by Zhang Ai Min
Pediatrics
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Infant umbilical hernia refers to a large protrusion at the navel of an infant, generally composed of the remaining umbilical cord and a part of the intestine. Typically, if the protrusion is not very large, such as less than one centimeter, it usually does not include the intestines. However, if it is particularly noticeable and large, there might be protrusion of the intestines, hence the area may feel bloated when touched.

An infant umbilical hernia may cause localized accumulation of the intestines, and some children might cry and show signs of pain while feeding. However, generally speaking, most umbilical hernias do not have obvious symptoms, and there is no need for excessive worry. As the child ages, there is a possibility of improvement, and the hernia might heal on its own.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How to determine if it is an umbilical hernia?

The most typical symptom of an umbilical hernia is a protruding lump at the navel, which generally disappears on its own when the patient is sleeping soundly or lying flat. In most cases in children, the lump can enlarge and may become firmer when crying, standing, or straining the abdomen. It tends to reduce or even disappear during rest. Most adults become aware of the condition in children while doing laundry or bathing. In adults, umbilical hernias mostly occur due to conditions like pregnancy, excessive fat, chronic coughing, severe liver cirrhosis, ascites, etc. Adult umbilical hernias are prone to incarceration and strangulation, therefore, surgery is generally recommended as soon as possible. In children, conservative treatment methods can be adopted before the age of two, as the chances of incarceration are relatively low. Before two years of age, a coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring is used, held against the umbilical ring and secured with adhesive tape; this usually leads to spontaneous closure.

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Can an umbilical hernia be pressed with hands?

Umbilical hernia can be manually reduced by pushing it back into place. For children, most can be reduced by manual manipulation. For adults, it may be relatively more difficult, but generally, if incarceration has not occurred, manual reduction can be successful. In the treatment of umbilical hernia, conservative observation can be considered for children under two years old. The method of using adhesive tape may be employed since the self-healing can occur through their natural development before the age of two with appropriate conservative treatment. If the diameter of the umbilical ring still exceeds 1.5 cm after two years old, surgical intervention should be considered timely. For adults, umbilical hernias are generally treated through surgical means. Adult umbilical hernias are prone to incarceration and strangulation, particularly because the umbilical ring is usually smaller and a sudden increase in abdominal pressure can lead to incarceration. The treatment choices for adult umbilical hernia include tissue repair suturing or tension-free hernia repair, with laparoscopy also being a viable treatment option.

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Can you swim with an umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernia is a common navel disease in infants and young children, primarily due to developmental defects at the navel where the region is relatively weak. When abdominal pressure increases, the contents of the abdomen may protrude, but this condition is generally not serious and does not cause severe harm to the child, with most cases resolving on their own. Therefore, for babies with an umbilical hernia, it is okay to allow them to swim. Swimming will not exacerbate the hernia nor cause any adverse effects. Only a very few severe cases of umbilical hernia, which have not healed naturally by the age of two, would require surgical treatment. It is also fine for children with an umbilical hernia to swim two to three times a week; parents can be reassured about this.

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Can you massage your abdomen with an umbilical hernia?

You can rub the belly for umbilical hernia. An umbilical hernia is a hernia that protrudes through the navel, known as an umbilical hernia, which is more common in infants. Infant umbilical hernias tend to heal on their own, and most do not require surgical treatment. Adult umbilical hernias are more often related to increased abdominal pressure. Most infant umbilical hernias are due to congenital developmental defects, where the umbilical ring does not completely close, or the scar tissue at the navel is weak and not strong enough. Under conditions of increased abdominal pressure, the internal organs can protrude through the navel to form a hernia.

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Can umbilical hernia be treated with moxibustion?

Umbilical hernia is fundamentally a surgical condition. The effectiveness of moxibustion in treating umbilical hernia is generally not very clear, and currently, there is no scientific basis to prove that moxibustion can cure umbilical hernia. Typically, umbilical hernias occur when the umbilical ring does not completely close. In children under six months, a conservative treatment approach is usually chosen. This can involve using a coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring, wrapping it to press against the ring, and securing it with adhesive tape to prevent movement. Most patients under six months old can heal naturally. For umbilical hernias, if the child is over two years old and the umbilical ring is still larger than 1.5 cm, surgical treatment is recommended. Moxibustion treatment does not offer significant benefits in the treatment of umbilical hernias. Therefore, as umbilical hernia is a surgical condition, it is advised that patients undergo surgery if their condition permits.