What should I do if my baby's umbilical hernia doesn't go away?

Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on November 07, 2024
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Umbilical hernia in children is mainly caused by an unsealed navel ring. Its treatment should be based on specific clinical symptoms and age. If the hernia does not retract, it can be treated conservatively or surgically. Conservative treatment involves returning the hernia contents to the abdominal cavity and using an object the size of a coin, wrapped externally with gauze, to hold it in place and prevent movement. Generally, umbilical hernias in infants under six months can be cured with conventional treatment methods, and the treatment effect is very good. However, if the diameter of the navel ring exceeds 1.5 cm after the age of two, surgical treatment should be considered. For children over five years of age who still have symptoms of an umbilical hernia, conservative treatment is ineffective, and surgery should be performed as soon as possible. Umbilical hernias are a common condition, but not serious, requiring only dynamic observation and timely medical treatment if severe.

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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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
1min home-news-image

What should I do if my baby's umbilical hernia doesn't go away?

Umbilical hernia in children is mainly caused by an unsealed navel ring. Its treatment should be based on specific clinical symptoms and age. If the hernia does not retract, it can be treated conservatively or surgically. Conservative treatment involves returning the hernia contents to the abdominal cavity and using an object the size of a coin, wrapped externally with gauze, to hold it in place and prevent movement. Generally, umbilical hernias in infants under six months can be cured with conventional treatment methods, and the treatment effect is very good. However, if the diameter of the navel ring exceeds 1.5 cm after the age of two, surgical treatment should be considered. For children over five years of age who still have symptoms of an umbilical hernia, conservative treatment is ineffective, and surgery should be performed as soon as possible. Umbilical hernias are a common condition, but not serious, requiring only dynamic observation and timely medical treatment if severe.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
54sec home-news-image

Will an umbilical hernia hurt?

Umbilical hernia can cause pain, especially during incarceration and strangulation. Generally, umbilical hernias are caused by factors such as pregnancy, excessive omental fat, chronic coughing, and severe constipation. A sudden increase in abdominal pressure may lead to the incarceration of the omentum or intestines, causing significant pain and hardening of the hernial mass. In such cases, emergency surgery may be necessary. For adults, traditional tissue repair or open tension-free hernia repair is generally chosen, while minimally invasive treatment options may be selected for specific groups. In children, umbilical hernias are typically observed conservatively, and if the umbilical ring remains larger than 1.5cm after the age of two, surgery should be considered.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Can an umbilical hernia cause abdominal bloating?

Umbilical hernias can potentially cause abdominal distention because they may become incarcerated or even strangulated. The contents entering the umbilical hernia can include the omentum or intestines. If the small intestine or colon becomes incarcerated in the hernia, it can cause partial intestinal obstruction, with symptoms potentially including abdominal pain, distension, and nausea and vomiting. In cases where an umbilical hernia becomes incarcerated or ruptured, timely surgical treatment is necessary. Generally, umbilical hernias in children before the age of two do not require surgical intervention unless incarceration occurs. Most can be treated with adhesive strapping to allow for natural healing. If the umbilical ring still has a diameter greater than 1.5cm after the age of two, surgery should be considered promptly. For children over five with an umbilical hernia, surgery is recommended regardless of the specifics. Adults diagnosed with an umbilical hernia are also advised to undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible.

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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.