Umbilical hernia in the newborn: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
When it comes to umbilical hernia in newborns, many mothers get scared, fearing for their baby's health. But it is good to specify that neonatal hernia is a more frequent disorder than one might think, it usually heals on its own with time and does not involve complications. Only in some rare cases it is necessary to intervene surgically.
In this article we will deepen the topic, but first we leave you a video to find out how big a baby is month by month.
Umbilical hernia in the newborn: what it is
See also
Thrush in the newborn: symptoms, treatment and prevention of oral candida
Umbilical hernia is common in newborns and appears as a swelling of the navel due to the fall of the umbilical cord. The cause is to be attributed to an incorrect or incomplete closure of the navel area, consequently a part of the intestine comes out and enters this cavity leading to a hernia.
Usually the umbilical hernia in the newborn tends to resolve spontaneously within 12-18 months of life. In the small child, the volume of the hernia tends to increase during crying and during exertion, due to the increase in pressure in the area of the "abdomen.
In infants and young children, affected by umbilical hernia, complications are rare, unless the condition is linked to very serious underlying diseases that tend not to regress spontaneously. Sometimes, the doctor can anticipate healing by wrapping the baby's abdomen with elastic and supportive bandages to reduce the swelling faster.
Symptoms of umbilical hernia in the newborn
During the last weeks of gestation it is very likely that the umbilical hernia is already formed in the newborn and therefore is already present at birth. In these cases it is clearly visible and palpable especially when the newborn uses the abdominal muscles because he cries or has to evacuate. frequent in premature babies.
Umbilical hernia in newborns is usually asymptomatic, so you will not notice anything abnormal apart from the bulge we were talking about earlier. However, it can lead to pain and discomfort and in rare cases even vomiting to the newborn. To these main symptoms are added burning and swelling which can increase if the child stands, cries, coughs or sneezes. The swelling may subside or disappear when the baby is lying on his back.
The size of the bulge, similar to a ball, can vary from 1 to 5 cm.
In very rare cases, the hernia is strangled: the blood circulation inside it is compromised and therefore the swelling also appears swollen and causes pain in the child.
Diagnosis and treatment of umbilical hernia in the newborn
In most cases, the umbilical hernia in the newborn does not require any particular treatment, because as we said, it disappears by itself within the second year of the child's life when the navel is completely closed.
What you can do as a mother is to stay calm and schedule visits to the pediatrician to observe the development of the case.
If the swelling leads to severe pain and you see your child crying and moaning, the pediatrician will evaluate specific care or treatment.
When is surgery needed?
In some rare cases the hernia, instead of decreasing, could increase in size and if still present when the child is 3 years old, it is better to consult the pediatrician immediately.
In some cases, surgery is necessary, but only if the hernia does not regress spontaneously and causes pain. The surgery is usually done when the child is 5 years old: it is a routine operation and only one day of hospitalization will be enough. In addition, the operation is very short and lasts only 30 minutes under general anesthesia.
Surgical treatment is performed by making a small incision under the navel in order to allow the hernia to come out. At this point, the cut closes with a few stitches to promote wound healing.
Usually the little patient is discharged after a few hours. In some cases, when deemed necessary, the doctor requests the hospitalization and observation of the child for one night.
The surgery is completely resolving and leaves no visible scars.
The umbilical hernia operation does not affect the daily life of the individual when he grows up, nor does it affect the practice of sporting activity.
Past remedies for umbilical hernia
Some grandmother's remedies used in the past involved putting patches, laces, bands or coins on the navel in order to reduce swelling. Today these remedies are banned, and considered unsuitable, because they risk worsening the situation.
These solutions tend to prolong the healing time and slow down the natural course of the problem. The patch, for example, can stick to the skin, which is still too sensitive and delicate, and cause irritation or injury.
