Umbilical Type of Hernia, Symptoms and Causes
An umbilical hernia is a type of hernia that involves the intestine jutting out from a hole in the abdominal muscle around the belly button. It is mostly found in infants but adults can be afflicted too. A sign of umbilical hernia in an infant is the protrusion of the belly button when the infant cries. This condition is typically harmless and is not related to any disease but at times associated with some rare conditions such as Down syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and a rare lysomal disease called mucopolysaccharide disease.
Umbilical hernias normally disappear when the infant reaches age 1, but could take longer in some cases. If the child reaches the age of 4 with the umbilical hernia still present, the condition may need surgery. The same is true for umbilical hernias that develop in adulthood. Umbilical hernia in infants is normally painless but may cause some discomfort in adults.
In an infant, an umbilical hernia could develop when the muscle surrounding the blood vessel through which the blood flows to nourish the developing fetus does not close totally. While the fetus develop, the umbilical cord goes through a small aperture or hole in the fetus’ abdominal muscles. The hole generally closes before the birth of the child. The hole that does not close totally is a weakness in the abdominal wall that can cause the hernia after birth or when the child grows older. Cause of umbilical hernia in adults is excessive abdominal pressure due to:
• Chronic coughing
• Overweight or obesity
• Lifting of heavy objects
• Multiple pregnancies
• Ascites or excessive serous fluid in the abdominal cavity
An umbilical hernia can be as big a 1 centimeter to over 5 centimeters. It is a soft swelling over a baby’s navel that protrudes when the baby cries, sit ups or strain in moving its bowels but is flat when the baby is quiet or is lying on its back.
One serious complication of an umbilical hernia is the strangulation of bowel tissues in the hernia, and could need surgery.
When the baby becomes fussy and seems to be in pain or the hernia becomes swollen, tender or discolored, it is imperative to get the child medical attention.
