Can an infant umbilical hernia cause crying?

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on January 10, 2025
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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.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Early symptoms and manifestations of umbilical hernia

Umbilical hernia is a common umbilical disease, characterized by the hernial sac protruding through the umbilical ring. This condition has a higher incidence rate in infants. As infants grow older, most cases can be resolved, but a few children may require surgical intervention. Early signs of umbilical hernia include a soft bulge and protrusion at the navel. The protrusion at the umbilical area may increase when the infant cries, coughs, defecates, or struggles due to increased abdominal pressure, and it can decrease or disappear when the infant is calm and asleep. However, if the child experiences severe abdominal pain or vomiting, this could be an indication of incarcerated umbilical hernia, and it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Will infant umbilical hernia gradually improve?

Umbilical hernias in infants are very likely to heal naturally, as more than 80% of infantile umbilical hernias will gradually reduce in size and possibly even close as the child grows older and their physique develops. Normally, it is only necessary to ensure that the child does not cry intensely for long periods, to promptly treat any digestive system disorders in the child to prevent increased abdominal pressure which can cause frequent protrusion of the hernia and affect its healing. Only a small portion of children require surgical treatment, usually those with a relatively large hernia ring diameter, especially those larger than 2 cm, and children over two years old who still have a very obvious umbilical hernia.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Can an umbilical hernia cause diarrhea?

Umbilical hernias rarely cause diarrhea in patients. An umbilical hernia mainly occurs because the umbilical ring is not completely closed, allowing parts of the small intestine or omentum to enter under the skin at the belly button, forming a noticeable bulge. The most common symptom caused by umbilical hernias is intestinal obstruction, which presents as abdominal pain. This mainly occurs when the small intestine becomes trapped in the umbilical ring and cannot easily retract, which rarely leads to symptoms of diarrhea. If a patient experiences diarrhea, further medical examination at a hospital is necessary to determine if it is caused by other reasons.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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What impact does an umbilical hernia have on a baby?

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 Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Is an umbilical hernia in infants serious?

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a weak abdominal wall around the navel, which is underdeveloped, leading to protrusion. This is prone to happen when intra-abdominal pressure is high. Therefore, it's usually sufficient to avoid intense crying in children and actively treat gastrointestinal diseases without special treatment. This is because 80% of infants will naturally see the hernia ring narrow, or even close by itself by the age of two, leading to healing. Only a few children, if the hernia ring diameter is large, more than 2 cm, or if the umbilical hernia is still evident after the child turns two, will require surgical treatment.