Umbilical hernia

Protrusion of abdominal contents through the umbilical ring

Overview

An umbilical hernia is a health condition where part of the intestine protrudes through an opening in the abdominal muscles at the navel. This type of hernia is common in infants but can also occur in adults. In infants, umbilical hernias are usually harmless and often close on their own by the age of 1 or 2. In adults, they may require surgical intervention.

Signs and Symptoms

The most noticeable sign of an umbilical hernia is a soft bulge or swelling near the navel. This bulge may become more apparent when the person is crying, coughing, or straining. In infants, the hernia is usually painless, but in adults, it can cause discomfort or pain, especially if the hernia becomes incarcerated or strangulated.

Causes

In infants, umbilical hernias occur when the opening in the abdominal wall, which allows the umbilical cord to pass through, does not close completely after birth. In adults, factors such as obesity, multiple pregnancies, or previous abdominal surgery can increase the risk of developing an umbilical hernia.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an umbilical hernia is typically made through a physical examination. In some cases, imaging tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan may be used to assess the hernia's size and to check for complications.

Treatment

In infants, most umbilical hernias close on their own without treatment. However, if the hernia is large or does not close by the age of 3 to 4 years, surgical repair may be recommended. In adults, surgery is usually required to prevent complications such as incarceration or strangulation of the herniated tissue.

Complications

Complications of an umbilical hernia can include incarceration, where the herniated tissue becomes trapped and cannot be pushed back into the abdomen, and strangulation, where the blood supply to the herniated tissue is cut off. These conditions require immediate medical attention.

Related pages

• Hernia
• Inguinal hernia
• Abdominal wall

External links

• NHS: Umbilical Hernia
• Mayo Clinic: Umbilical Hernia

Media

An umbilical hernia in an infant

Animation showing the growth of an umbilical hernia

File:UOTW 44 - Ultrasound of the Week 1.webm File:UOTW 44 - Ultrasound of the Week 2.webm

Ultrasound image of an umbilical hernia