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UMBILICAL HERNIA IN NEWBORNS

🔸This is an abnormal bulge that can be seen or felt at the umbilicus( belly button).
• It develops when a portion of the lining of the abdomen, part of the intestines and or fluid from the abdomen comes through the muscles of the abdominal wall.

🔸Umbilical hernia is common occurring in 10 -20 percent of all children.

🔸 When the cord falls off, umbilical hernia may manifest after the age of two weeks or later.

🔸 Low birth weight and premature infants are more likely to have an umbilical hernia .

🔸 Boys and girls are equally affected.


CAUSES

✔️ During the development of the foetus in pregnancy, there is a small opening in the muscles of the abdomen that allows the passage of umbilical cord connecting both mother and baby.

✔️The opening in the abdominal muscles closes as the baby grows after birth.

✔️ Sometimes, however the the muscles do not meet and grow together completely and a small opening remains .

✔️ This opening is called umbilical hernia.


SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

✔️ It appears as a bulge or swelling in the belly button area.

✔️ The swelling may become more visible and noticeable when baby cries , and may become smaller or disappear when baby is quite.

✔️ If a physician gently pushes on the bulge when a child is lying down and calm, it will usually get smaller or go back into the abdomen.

DIAGNOSIS
✔️ Physical examination by a physician can diagnose an umbilical hernia and can also determine if there are any abdominal contents caught in the hernia sac.


TREATMENT

☑️ Many umbilical hernias close spontaneously within 6 months to 3 years of the baby’s life.

☑️ If closure does not occur by this time, surgical repair is usually advised .

☑️ In younger children if hernia is very large, surgical repair may be recommended.

💉 If there are any associated conditions like intracranial abdominal pressure like excessive crying, constipation , persistent cough etc it should be detected early for management.

💉Once the hernia is closed, it’s unlikely that it will reoccur . However , the risk of recurrence is increased in patients who have wound infections after surgery.

💉 In most cases , these hernias don’t cause any problem and they often go away on their own over time.

❌ Application of coin and bandage over the hernia is not recommended. As it may further weaken the anterior abdominal wall.

CREDIT: CINNCINATI CHILDREN’S
Photo credit: Shutterstock

🩸 A healthy mother is a healthy baby🩸