Umbilical Hernia in Children
(For adults, see Abdominal Wall Hernias.)
In an umbilical hernia, the small intestine can protrude through the opening when the child coughs or strains during a bowel movement. Many infants have a small umbilical hernia because the opening for the umbilical cord blood vessels did not close completely.
Most of the time, umbilical hernias are present at birth. However they can occur in adults who are obese or pregnant or who have an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites). It can also occur in people who are born with defects in the middle of their abdominal wall or after abdominal surgery.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Because strangulation is very rare, umbilical hernias are usually not treated and doctors just wait for them to go away on their own. These hernias usually close by 5 years of age.
If a very large umbilical hernia does not close by the time a child is 2 years old, the doctor may advise surgery.
Folk remedies such as taping a coin or other object over the hernia do not work and may irritate the skin.
