Umbilical Hernias are Prone To Occur in Babies Born Prematurely, Not only in adults
Umbilical hernia is a common condition that occurs in babies and young children, especially premature babies. Symptoms appear as a painless lump in or around the navel. However, the lump can get bigger when you laugh, cough, cry, urinate, and can get smaller when you rest or lie down. Many cases of umbilical hernia reappear and the muscle closes before the child reaches one year of age. However, umbilical hernias can also occur in adults. Without treatment, hernias can get worse over time.
The cause of an umbilical hernia in babies is that during pregnancy, the umbilical cord passes through a hole in the baby's stomach. This opening closes soon after birth, but in some cases the muscle does not close completely. This leaves a weak area around the muscle wall (stomach wall). An umbilical hernia can occur when fatty tissue or part of the intestine gets stuck near the navel.
Meanwhile, in adults, factors that cause umbilical hernias include;
- Having a complicated pregnancy (eg twins or triplets)
- Being overweight or obese
- Effort when moving or lifting heavy objects
- Having a persistent cough
Umbilical hernias can be treated with surgery to return the bulge in the navel to its normal position and strengthen the weak abdominal wall. This operation can be recommended for children if the hernia is large or not yet 3 or 4 years old. You will be advised to wait until your child reaches that age, as surgery is not necessary unless there is a problem. The risk of a child experiencing complications is low. However, surgery is recommended for most adults with umbilical hernias, as the hernia will not improve on its own with age and the risk of complications is higher. Complications that can arise from an umbilical hernia include:
- Obstruction
When part of the intestine sticks outside the stomach, it causes nausea, vomiting and pain. - Strangulation
Part of the intestine was caught and the blood was cut; this requires emergency surgery within hours to release trapped tissue and restore blood flow.
Surgery will remove the hernia and avoid serious complications, although there is a possibility that the hernia will return after surgery. This operation is a simple method that usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Often, this surgical procedure uses general anesthesia to avoid pain during the operation.
In children, weak spots in the abdominal wall are usually closed with stitches. If the hernia is large or in an adult, special mesh may be used to tighten the area. However, you may experience pain and discomfort during recovery from the surgery. If you experience complaints after surgery, immediately undergo another examination with a specialist surgeon or pediatric surgeon.