It is a type of hernia that is manifested by swelling in the belly in situations that increase intra-abdominal pressure (crying, straining, etc.). It occurs as a result of the opening in the belly button, which is a place where the veins that connect the baby in the womb with the mother, do not close completely after birth. The existing hole and the size of the swelling are incompatible. There is often no direct proportion between the diameter of the hole and the size of the swelling. Even if the hole is small, the size of the swelling can reach larger sizes.
Umbilical hernia, which is seen in up to 40% of children, is equally common in boys and girls. It is more common in premature and low birth weight babies.
The swelling that occurs with crying and straining disappears spontaneously when the child relaxes. The hole in the navel can be easily felt with a finger during the examination.
The diameter of the opening is important in deciding on surgery, not the size of the swelling seen. In about 90% of patients, the hole that causes the hernia (especially if the diameter of the hole is less than 1 cm) closes by the end of the 3rd year. If the hole diameter is larger than 1.5-2 cm, surgery can be performed at an earlier age. Surgery should not be delayed any longer for patients whose hernia has not closed by the age of 3.
Placing money, tape, or tying a belt on the hernia does not contribute to the closure of the hole. On the contrary, since it prevents the strangulation of the herniated organ from being seen, it causes delays in the intervention and much more serious situations such as loss of the organ due to gangrene. If the hole in the navel for surgery is large or causes complaints such as pain, the patient may not be expected to be 3 years old.
Patients with an umbilical hernia are operated on on a daily basis, like many other pediatric surgery patients. After the surgery, he is observed for a few hours and is discharged after seeing that he is feeding orally without any problems.
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