An umbilical hernia refers to a condition that is most often found in newborns, although it can also occur in adults. It is estimated that up to 20% of newborns may have umbilical hernias. With this particular type of hernia, part of the intestine, usually near the navel, can extrude beyond the stomach muscles. In newborns and young children, you may notice a rounded bump sticking out of the stomach, especially when babies use stomach muscles to stretch, cry, or have a bowel movement.
The good news about an umbilical hernia in a baby is that it rarely requires surgery. For most newborns and babies diagnosed with one, doctors do little but wait and watch. They are not considered painful, although they can be in adults. Parents are asked to watch for signs that the baby is distressed, vomiting, and are asked to look for any changes in the hernia bulge, including enlargement and discoloration. In rare cases, the part of the intestine outside the muscle can become trapped by muscle tissues and lose the oxygen needed to stay healthy. When this occurs, surgery is indicated to push the intestine back and build the stomach muscle so that the hernia does not recur.
Children may require surgery if the umbilical hernia has not resolved by the time they are four years old, although recommendations about surgery may vary by doctors. Adults will generally require surgery shortly after developing an umbilical hernia, as adults can find these hernias very painful. Risk factors for adults are very different from those for children. Babies are more likely to have umbilical hernias if they were low birth weight or were born prematurely. Adults can develop these hernias if they are obese or have engaged in excessive physical activity, such as lifting heavy objects. Having multiple pregnancies together can also damage your stomach muscles and increase the likelihood of an umbilical hernia occurring.
Surgery for adults and children, unless complications have occurred and intestinal tissue is damaged, can be an outpatient procedure. Commonly, the protruding intestine is pushed back behind the muscle tissue and the muscle is attached to prevent recurrence. This procedure can be done laparoscopically, requiring a very small incision. Instead of stitches, surgeons can use meshes or nets that help prop up the muscle wall.
Whether or not surgery is required, once an umbilical hernia resolves, there is very little chance that the condition will recur. Although it is scary for parents to have to deal with any medical condition that a child may have, it is important to remember that this condition is usually easily fixed and may never require surgery. Even when a child needs surgery, keep in mind that the repair has an extremely high success rate and a low complication rate.