Umbilical Hernia
By definition, all newborns have a small defect in the umbilicus at birth through which the umbilical vessels pass. Closure of the umbilical ring is spontaneous and represents the only ‘‘hernia’’ in the body that is genetically programmed to close - Mary L. Brandt MD
HWN Suggests
Lumps and Bumps in Children: Abdominal and Inguinal Hernias
An umbilical hernia results from imperfect closure or weakness of the umbilical ring. These hernias are common in infants and young children and make up roughly 5% to 10% of all primary hernias. Umbilical hernias are about 10 times more common in blacks than in whites. They are more common in low birth weight infants. The sex incidence is equal.
Most umbilical hernias are sporadic and occur as isolated findings in otherwise healthy infants. Umbilical hernias occur with increased frequency in patients with Down syndrome, trisomy 13, trisomy 18, congenital hypothyroidism, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis, and cirrhosis of the liver with ascites.
Classically,…
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Avoid referring most children with umbilical hernias to a pediatric surgeon until around age four to five years
Umbilical hernias, resulting from failure of complete closure of the umbilical ring after birth, affect up to 25% of newborns. Unlike inguinal hernias, or umbilical hernias in adults, a majority of newborn umbilical hernias will close spontaneously – about 85% closure rate by age five years.
Articles of Interest
Umbilical Hernia: Should My Child Have Surgery?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Resources
StatPearl;s
Repair of the umbilical hernia in infants is usually postponed due to a low rate of complications and the majority of the umbilical defects will be closed spontaneously within 2 years.
