Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical Hernia

What is an umbilical hernia?

Dissimilar most hernias, which develop in adolescence or adulthood, 20 pct of babies are born with umbilical hernias. An umbilical hernia occurs at the bellybutton (belly button) when a loop of intestine pushes through the umbilical ring, a small opening in a fetus' abdominal muscles through which the umbilical string—which connects a fetus to its female parent while in the womb—passes. Umbilical hernias occur nearly often in newborns, and ninety pct will naturally shut by the time the kid reaches 5 years of age.

Umbilical Hernia Causes

Later on birth, the umbilical string is no longer necessary, and the opening in the abdominal muscles closes equally the baby matures. Sometimes, these muscles practice non meet completely, leaving a small pigsty or gap. A loop of intestine can move into and fifty-fifty penetrate the opening betwixt abdominal muscles and cause a hernia.
Umbilical hernias occur most often in infants simply tin also occur in adults. The well-nigh common causes of umbilical hernias in adults are:

  • Chronic wellness weather condition that raise abdominal force per unit area, including:

    • Carrying excessive belly fluid (ascites)

    • Chronic coughing

    • Difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate

    • Prolonged constipation

    • Repetitive airsickness

  • Obesity

  • Straining such as during child birth or weight lifting

Umbilical Hernia Diagnosis

Hernias are usually diagnosed during a concrete examination by a health care provider. The provider volition wait and feel for a burl or swelling in the umbilicus area. The swelling may be more noticeable when a baby cries and may get smaller or go away when a baby relaxes or rests on its back. During the test, the provider will determine if the hernia is reducible—if it can be pushed dorsum into the abdominal cavity.

The provider volition also look for and complete a medical history to decide if the umbilical hernia has become incarcerated (trapped inside the abdominal opening), a serious medical condition in which the protruding intestine becomes trapped and deprived of blood supply. The intestine can quickly become necrotic if not repaired, which requires surgical removal of the afflicted intestine. Symptoms of a strangulated umbilical hernia include:

  • Abdominal pain and tenderness

  • Constipation

  • Fever

  • Full, round abdomen

  • Red, majestic, dark or discolored bulge

  • Vomiting

The provider may order claret tests to look for signs of infection resulting from the strangulated intestine. They may also social club a barium X-ray, ultrasound, MRI or CT to examine the intestine more than closely, especially if the hernia is no longer reducible.

Umbilical Hernia Treatments

Specific umbilical hernia handling and timing will be determined by the surgeon based on multiple factors such as the child'southward age, general health, medical history and whether the hernia is reducible or strangulated. By historic period 1, many umbilical hernias will have closed on their ain without surgery. Most all umbilical hernias volition have airtight without surgery by age 5.

In full general, if the hernia becomes bigger with age, is not reducible or is still nowadays after age iii, the child's provider may suggest that the hernia be repaired surgically. If the hernia is strangulated and cannot gently be pushed or massaged back into its proper place inside the abdomen, the surgeon will generally recommend firsthand surgery.

Under general anesthesia, a small incision is made in the umbilicus (belly button). The loop of intestine is placed back into the intestinal cavity, and the incision closed. Sometimes a slice of mesh material is used to help strengthen the expanse where the muscles are repaired.