Umbilical hernia occurs as a result of incomplete closure of the umbilical canal after birth. The baby in the mother’s womb continues its life with the veins coming out of the navel and extending to the mother. There is an opening in the abdominal wall so that these vessels, which are located in the umbilical cord that fall off after birth, can pass. In many newborn babies, intra-abdominal organs come out through this opening and form a swelling in the navel. This condition is known as an umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernia usually begins to appear after the umbilical cord falls off. This situation is observed in 25-50% of children. It is seen with equal frequency in girls and boys, there is a high familial predisposition. They are more common in premature and low birth weight babies. Generally, by the age of 3, 90% resolve spontaneously without treatment. Babies with umbilical hernia do not need any treatment within the first two years of age. Even if the swelling outside the abdomen grows over time, it will most likely heal on its own with the development of the abdominal wall. In particular, defects smaller than 1 cm in diameter are more likely to close spontaneously and earlier. Methods such as sticking a coin on the navel or tying the umbilical cord do not increase the likelihood of recovery, and should not be applied as they may cause damage to the skin such as necrosis and plaster allergy. If a child who is two years old still has an umbilical hernia, a doctor should be consulted.
When surgery?
If it has not passed 3 years of age in girls and 4 years of age in boys
If suffocation has occurred even once
If its diameter is 1.5-2 cm and above, it should be corrected.
