What impact does an umbilical hernia have on a baby?

Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Umbilical hernia mainly manifests in children as a bulge at the belly button, primarily containing small intestine. If an umbilical hernia is not treated in a timely manner, it may gradually enlarge when the child cries or when intra-abdominal pressure increases, leading to more of the small intestine protruding outside of the abdominal cavity. This can potentially cause localized intestinal obstruction, impacting the child's intestinal absorption capabilities and leading to weight loss. If a significant portion of the intestine protrudes and becomes incarcerated, it could cause intestinal obstruction or necrosis, necessitating surgical removal of the necrotic intestine in a hospital.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How long will it take for an umbilical hernia to heal?

Umbilical hernia can heal on its own, generally, if the appropriate treatment method is chosen, most umbilical hernias can heal within six months. For children over two years old, if the umbilical hernia has not healed and the diameter of the umbilical ring exceeds 1.5 cm, active surgical treatment is also chosen. For children over five years old, surgical treatment is recommended regardless of the situation. Umbilical hernia occurs because the umbilical ring does not close in time during the child's development, causing the abdomen to protrude. The common treatment method is to choose a coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring, wrap it up, press against the umbilical ring, and fix it with adhesive tape to prevent it from moving. This treatment method generally works well and can avoid surgery. However, during the observation process, it is necessary to avoid the occurrence of incarceration or rupture of the hernia.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Is there no belly button after umbilical hernia surgery?

Umbilical hernia refers to a protrusion formed by abdominal cavity contents through the umbilical ring, commonly seen in infants and young children. Most umbilical hernias can heal on their own within the first year as the umbilical fascial ring gradually contracts. Therefore, non-surgical treatment is mostly adopted to promote healing. However, if the child is over two years old and the diameter of the umbilical hernia exceeds 1.5 centimeters, surgical treatment is recommended. After umbilical hernia surgery, the belly button is still preserved. The surgery generally involves making a small incision at the lower edge of the navel, freeing the hernial sac, repositioning the hernial contents, and after partially excising the hernial sac at the umbilical ring, suturing is performed.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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How to press back an umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernias are generally more common in newborns, primarily because the umbilical ring has not yet completely closed. In children, lumps appear in the navel area when they cry or when abdominal pressure increases. To address an umbilical hernia, first massage the area around the belly button, then gently return the hernial sac to the abdominal cavity with both hands. After returning the hernia, secure it externally with a hernia belt. This can effectively prevent the recurrence of the umbilical hernia. Typically, through conservative treatment, which involves this method of binding for about one to two months, the patient’s umbilical hernia can heal on its own.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Will an umbilical hernia cause abdominal pain?

Umbilical hernia may cause stomach pain. This is possible because an umbilical hernia occurs when the intestines push through a weak spot in the belly button area due to pressure. In most cases, it is the small intestine that protrudes through the hernia. If a large portion of the small intestine protrudes, it can lead to kinking and potentially cause an obstruction of the small intestine. Once the small intestine is obstructed, it can lead to abdominal pain, and may also be accompanied by bloating, nausea, and vomiting. Thus, in cases where the small intestine is kinked, it is possible for an umbilical hernia to cause stomach pain.

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Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
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Can an umbilical hernia be seen as a bulge?

Umbilical hernia manifests as a bulge around the belly button, mainly because the contents of the hernia include the intestines and omentum. This bulge becomes apparent when there is an increase in abdominal pressure due to crying or other activities, pushing the intestinal contents through the weak area around the navel, resulting in a noticeable protrusion. This bulge has a characteristic feature known as reducibility. It disappears when lying flat or in a calm state, but becomes more apparent and may increase in size when standing or under conditions of increased abdominal pressure, such as crying, shouting, or jumping. Clinically, this reducibility of the bulge is used to diagnose an umbilical hernia.