"Measures for handling umbilical hernia in infants"

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on May 03, 2025
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Infant umbilical hernia occurs due to a weak abdominal wall in the navel area and incomplete prenatal development. It generally poses no significant harm, but measures should be taken to prevent frequent protrusion of the hernia. It is usually advisable to avoid excessive crying and prolonged episodes of crying in children, and to actively prevent and treat digestive system diseases in children to reduce the chance of increased gas in the gastrointestinal tract and increased abdominal pressure, which can lead to protrusion of the navel and discomfort for the child. Therefore, in over 80% of children with umbilical hernias, the hernia ring will gradually narrow and shrink as the child grows and develops physically, achieving healing by the age of two. Only less than 20% of children, particularly those with a hernia ring diameter greater than 2cm, or who clearly have an umbilical hernia at the age of two, will require surgical treatment.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Does pressing on an umbilical hernia hurt?

Umbilical hernias often occur because there is a weak spot near the navel and a defect in the abdominal wall, allowing abdominal contents to protrude through this weak spot and form a lump on the surface. If the hernia is not strangulated, the contents can be reduced when the patient lies flat, causing no obvious symptoms. However, if the protruding contents cannot be reduced, there may be strangulation or the hernial ring may be too small. Pressing on the protruding lump at this time may cause pain. This pain generally becomes more pronounced the longer the protrusion persists. Of course, if the hernia is completely strangulated, causing circulatory problems, the pain may significantly decrease, but this does not indicate an improvement in condition. Therefore, if an umbilical hernia becomes painful upon pressing, surgical treatment should be considered to avoid complications.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Is hot compress useful for umbilical hernia?

In cases of umbilical hernia, applying heat generally has no effect. For infants, it is often acceptable to observe conservatively until the child is about two years old. Adhesive tape therapy can be used in this period. By the age of two, the umbilical ring in most children will close on its own. For those over two years old with an umbilical ring diameter still greater than 1.5 cm, surgery should be considered. For patients over five years old, it is generally recommended to undergo surgery sooner rather than later. In adults, the causes of umbilical hernias are mainly due to factors such as pregnancy, excessive fat in the greater omentum, chronic coughing, cirrhosis with ascites, etc., which increase abdominal pressure. Incarceration can occur, involving either the greater omentum or the small intestine, and surgery is usually the chosen treatment method, either through traditional tissue repair techniques or open tension-free hernia repair. In some cases, laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair may be chosen when necessary.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Can sheath effusion be treated with an umbilical hernia belt?

Can a hernia belt be used for hydrocele? Basically, a hernia belt is of no use for hydrocele. First, you need to understand the difference between hydrocele and hernia. What is a hernia? A hernia occurs when there's a hole in the groin area through which abdominal organs such as the omentum, intestines, and abdominal fluids can leak into the scrotum. By simply covering this hole, the descent of these abdominal contents can be prevented, which is the function of a hernia belt. What about hydrocele? It occurs when the processus vaginalis does not close properly or at all. Usually, it's still small enough that only abdominal fluids can leak into the scrotum, but larger organs like the intestines cannot descend. Therefore, using a hernia belt is ineffective for a hydrocele because there's no hole in the groin area that needs covering or blocking. Hence, a hernia belt is useless for hydrocele.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Does an umbilical hernia hurt?

Umbilical hernias can be painful because they may become incarcerated or even rupture. An umbilical hernia occurs when the area has not completely closed, allowing abdominal organs, such as the omentum or intestines, to enter the hernia sac. If incarceration persists for an extended period, it can cause localized pain and even symptoms of nausea and vomiting. For umbilical hernias, we generally advocate conservative treatment within the first six months, as most patients can heal on their own. If the diameter of the umbilical ring is still greater than 1.5 cm after the age of two, we recommend surgical treatment. The conservative treatment for umbilical hernia involves using a coin or a flat board, larger than the umbilical ring, wrapped and pressed against the ring, and then secured with wide adhesive tape. This method can prevent the hernia from protruding and promote healing.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Can an infant umbilical hernia cause crying?

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenital weakness in the umbilicus, usually manifesting as an umbilical bulge during increased abdominal pressure. Generally, an umbilical hernia does not cause children to cry. However, if the hernia ring is relatively large, and abdominal structures such as the greater omentum or small intestine protrude through it, incarceration can occur, leading to abdominal discomfort and crying in the child. In such cases, carefully pushing the hernia back in is usually sufficient. Umbilical hernias typically do not require special treatment; it is only necessary to prevent prolonged intense crying in children and to actively prevent and treat indigestive diseases. Generally, as the child grows older and their physique strengthens, the hernia ring narrows and may even close naturally. Only a small number of babies, if the hernia ring diameter is larger than 2 cm, or if there is a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, might experience discomfort requiring surgical treatment.