HWN Suggests

Avoid referring most children with umbilical hernias to a pediatric surgeon until around age 4-5 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 5 years. Larger umbilical hernias – vaguely defined as those over 1.5 cm in diameter – have a lower likelihood of spontaneous closure.

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 In Women, Hernias May Be Hidden Agony

Women are also more likely than men to develop umbilical hernias, in the bellybutton, especially if they are overweight, have had multiple pregnancies or endured very long labor when delivering a baby.

 Umbilical Hernia in Kids

Umbilical hernias are common. Fortunately, they are not often complicated. Their presence may inspire parental questions. Knowing what the pediatric surgeons will recommend is helpful to avoid confusion. Just because it is rare, doesn’t mean it cannot happen. Complications do occur, so don’t be dismissive.

Articles of Interest

The Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical hernias are common in babies. They usually resolve without problems and do not require any treatment. During the first 2 years of life, they often spontaneously resolve as the increased abdominal muscle mass closes the gap. In adults, most umbilical hernias are acquired.

Umbilical Hernia: When Should You Worry?

Umbilical hernias often (80%) close on their own, usually by the age of three or four. If that doesn’t happen, or if the hernia becomes incarcerated (unable to be pushed back manually) or strangulated (cutting off the blood supply to the intestines) surgery will be performed to repair it.

Umbilical Hernias in Adults: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

It is a very common condition in children, occurring in one of every six children... However, in adults, nearly 90% of umbilical hernias are acquired with no indication of hernia in childhood [6]. The risk factors are the same as for other abdominal wall hernias and are caused predominantly by intra-abdominal hyper pressure and/or parietal weakness.

Resources

StatPearls

An umbilical hernia is a ventral hernia located at or near the umbilicus. The European Hernia Society classification for abdominal wall hernias defines the umbilical hernia as a hernia located from 3 cm above to 3 cm below the umbilicus. It is the second most common type of hernia in an adult following inguinal hernia.