Specialties & Conditions Umbilical Hernia
Umbilical Hernia
Specialty
What Is an Umbilical Hernia?
An umbilical hernia is an opening in the abdominal wall near your child’s belly button (navel). Part of the small intestine and fat can push through this hole, creating a bulge that looks like a large outie belly button.
While this bulge may look unusual, an umbilical hernia is rarely serious. Many umbilical hernias in young children improve without treatment. But some children need surgery. Your child’s healthcare provider can help determine the best approach to care.
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What Are the Types of Pediatric Umbilical Hernias?
An umbilical hernia may be:
- Reducible: A reducible hernia gets smaller or isn’t noticeable when a child lies down on their back. The bulge is usually soft and will go back into the opening when someone gently pushes on it.
- Irreducible: Also called an incarcerated hernia, an irreducible hernia can’t be pushed back into the opening.
- Strangulated: A strangulated hernia is a serious medical condition that requires immediate treatment. The blood supply to the intestine and abdominal tissue inside the hernia sac is cut off, which can cause serious damage to tissues.
What Causes Umbilical Hernias in Children?
When a baby grows in the womb, the umbilical cord passes through a small opening in their belly to connect to the placenta for oxygen and nutrients. This small abdominal opening typically closes on its own a couple weeks after a baby is born.
For about 15% to 23% of children, the connective tissue (fascia) in the abdomen doesn’t grow together as it should. That leaves a gap or hole underneath the skin that you can’t see. Part of the small intestine, fluid and fat can push through this opening.
What Are Risk Factors for Umbilical Hernias?
While any child can have an umbilical hernia, these factors can increase the risk:
- Being Black or Hispanic
- Down syndrome
- Low birth weight (less than 5 pounds 8 ounces)
- Preterm birth before the 37th week of pregnancy
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Umbilical Hernias?
Depending on the size of the hernia, you may notice swelling over the belly button area soon after birth or later as your child grows bigger.
An umbilical hernia may:
- Bulge more when your child sits up, cries, coughs or strains to poop
- Feel soft
- Not be visible when your child lies flat on their back
- Range in size from 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) to 2 inches (5 centimeters)
What Are the Complications of Pediatric Umbilical Hernias?
Pediatric umbilical hernias are rarely painful. Pain in the belly button region may indicate a strangulated hernia, which requires immediate medical care.
Signs of a strangulated umbilical hernia in a child include:
- Blood in stool
- Hernia bulge that’s red, purple and firm to the touch
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe, sharp abdominal pain
How Are Umbilical Hernias Diagnosed?
Pediatricians at Lurie Children’s or other locations can diagnose an umbilical hernia based on the look and feel of a child’s navel area during a physical exam. In rare instances, a child may need an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or other imaging test to check for an umbilical hernia.
How Are Pediatric Umbilical Hernias Treated?
Most children with umbilical hernias don’t need treatment. For 9 in 10 children, the abdominal hole closes on its own by the time a child is 3 years old. Your child’s doctor will likely take a watchful waiting approach. This means they will monitor the hernia for signs that it’s improving. Your child may need surgery if a hernia is large, grows or doesn’t go away by age 5.
Pediatric Umbilical Hernia Repair
General pediatric surgeons at Lurie Children’s are experts in umbilical hernia repair. Surgery takes place under general anesthesia, so your child sleeps through the procedure. The outpatient procedure takes less than one hour, and your child goes home the same day.
During umbilical hernia repair, a pediatric surgeon:
- Makes a tiny incision at the crease of the bottom of the belly button to help minimize visible scarring
- Closes the hole in the abdominal tissue using dissolvable stitches
- Uses dissolvable stitches to attach the skin at the bottom of the belly button to abdominal tissue, creating an innie belly button
After Pediatric Umbilical Hernia Repair
Your child’s care team will review care instructions with you before your child goes home. Most children recover quickly with minimal pain.
After surgery, your child may need:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- To rest and limit strenuous activities for a few days
Risks of Pediatric Umbilical Hernia Repair
In about 2% of cases, a repaired umbilical hernia returns during childhood or adulthood. Umbilical hernia repair is a relatively safe procedure, but all surgeries pose a small risk of:
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Bruising
- Infection
- Reactions to anesthesia
What Is Lurie Children’s Approach to Caring for Children With Umbilical Hernias?
Lurie Children’s provides a comprehensive, compassionate approach to caring for children with umbilical hernias. Your child receives care at the top-rated children’s hospital in Illinois, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
We offer:
- Dedicated pediatric surgical clinic: At our Pediatric Surgery Clinic, your child undergoes a comprehensive exam to determine if umbilical hernia repair is the best treatment option. We perform regular checkups during the watchful waiting period, ensuring surgery takes place at the best time.
- Advanced surgical center: Lurie Children’s was the first pediatric hospital in Illinois to be recognized as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center. This recognition from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) means we provide the highest level of surgical care for your child.
- Team approach to care: Our pediatric surgeons partner with referring physicians during the watchful waiting period. We coordinate postsurgical follow-up care with your child’s primary doctor, helping to streamline the recovery process.
- Experts in all types of pediatric surgeries: Our pediatric surgeons perform more operations on children than any other pediatric hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area. In addition to expertise in routine procedures, our pediatric surgeons have unique specialty training to surgically treat complex conditions.
- Anesthesia tailored for kids: Your child gets surgery under the care of pediatric anesthesiologists who have subspecialty training in sedating pediatric patients. Our doctors ensure your child is safe and comfortable before, during and after surgery.
Lurie Children’s Division of General Pediatric Surgery
Lurie Children’s pediatric surgeons are recognized leaders in their fields. Our surgeons provide the highest level of diagnostic tests, treatments and care. Our advanced surgical approaches help children return to their active lives as quickly as possible with minimal pain and scarring. Lurie Children’s is home to Illinois’ first Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center, reflecting our surgical team’s deep expertise in surgical care for children.