My six month old's belly button sticks out, but only sometimes. It is usually flat but about 6 weeks ago my fiancé noticed that it gets big when she cries. We took her to her pedi & she said that it is an umblical hernia??? what is it?? She said that there are no risk for babies that have it & that i have nothing to worry about! Still curious!
2006-08-17 10:45:06 · 5 answers · asked by Jm 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
An umbilical hernia is an abnormal bulge that can be seen or felt at the umbilicus (belly button). This hernia develops when a portion of the lining of the abdomen, part of the intestine, and/or fluid from the abdomen, comes through the muscle of the abdominal wall.
Umbilical hernias are common, occurring in 10% to 20% of all children. They are, however, more common in African Americans.
Low birth weight and premature infants are also more likely to have an umbilical hernia. Boys and girls are equally affected.
As the fetus develops during pregnancy, there is a small opening in the abdominal muscles that allows the umbilical cord to pass through, connecting mother to baby. As the baby grows after birth, this opening in the abdominal muscles closes. Sometimes, however, these muscles do not meet and grow together completely, and a small opening remains. This opening is called an umbilical hernia.
2006-08-17 10:55:55 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is it?
An umbilical hernia is a condition in which a defect or hole exists in the abdominal wall at the level of the umbilicus (belly button). Skin overlies the defect and bulges especially during straining. During fetal development, the region of the umbilicus is very important. It is the point where the structures that make up the umbilical cord pass. This defect usually closes shortly after birth through natural processes. Occasionally the process of closure does not finish, and there is a persistent defect in the abdominal wall, or an umbilical hernia. Even if an umbilical hernia is present in infancy, most (90%) will close within the first year or two of life A few will persist into early childhood, prompting surgical referral.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Umbilical Hernia
The diagnosis of an umbilical hernia is made by history and physical exam. Children have an intermittent bulge at their umbilicus. Physical examination will reveal a defect of varying size in the abdominal wall (fascia). In some cases, the skin changes will be quite dramatic, with a large amount of stretching of the umbilical skin, creating an almost (elephant’s) trunk-like appearance to the belly button. Parents are often surprised to learn that the actual defect is quite small when there is so much protrusion of the skin.
In contrast to inguinal hernias, which have a relatively high risk of incarceration (something stuck in the hernia), umbilical hernias rarely become incarcerated. Repair of an umbilical hernia is therefore never urgent; however, a defect that is not improving will usually be repaired sometime before children reach school age. Surgery is performed as an outpatient, by means of a small incision at the bottom of the umbilicus. Several sutures (stitches) are placed to close the hole. Sometimes, excessively redundant skin is removed to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the umbilicus. Dissolvable sutures are used to close the skin. Children leave the hospital within several hours of the procedure. Recovery is usually prompt.
2006-08-17 10:57:05 · answer #2 · answered by ted_armentrout 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi, my son had that too. Where the umbilical cord was attached inside the baby didn't quite close up before birth- there is a little hole in the membrane inside her tummy. This is very common, not a problem and usually heals itself up by one year. It's a bit like the dent in the head- just a phase in development, nothing to worry about.
2006-08-17 10:56:30 · answer #3 · answered by laura w 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my son had that too, and it naturally just fell in. My doctor said his belly button just sticks out and it would not harm him at all. It does look weird at first, but my son is 19 mo and it all in and looks fine. I am sure your daughter will fix itself too.
2006-08-17 14:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by marykaybyvicky 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi, my daughter had this as well...it went away when she was about 3 wks old. Check out link below. :-)
2006-08-17 11:02:45 · answer #5 · answered by peachy78 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋