A hernia is when organs push through muscles, usually in the belly, chest, or hips. An umbilical hernia happens when the intestines’ fatty parts poke out near the belly button. This can be due to many things like getting older, being male, or a cough.
Symptoms of an umbilical hernia are important to spot for starting treatment. Look out for a bump near the belly button that goes away when lying down. You might feel full or have trouble moving your bowels. Other signs are bulging in the groin or scrotum and pain when active.
Surgery is often needed with larger hernias in kids to avoid more serious issues. Smaller ones might just need to be watched. The type of surgery depends but might be done with a camera, by cutting open, or with the help of robots.
Key Takeaways:
- An umbilical hernia occurs when fatty tissues in the intestine push through the abdomen near the navel area.
- Causes of umbilical hernia include age, gender, congenital factors, and lifestyle choices such as smoking or obesity.
- Symptoms of umbilical hernia include a noticeable lump or bulge, fullness, and pain during physical activity.
- Treatment options for umbilical hernia include watchful waiting, surgery, and robotic hernia repair.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications.
Umbilical Hernia in Infants – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Umbilical hernia is common in infants, especially those born too soon or small. More girls have it than boys. It happens when organs push through a weak spot near the belly button.
Causes of Umbilical Hernia in Babies
The main cause is a gap in the stomach muscles after birth. This gap comes from the path the umbilical cord takes during pregnancy. Even if it runs in the family, most times, it’s just part of how a baby grows in the womb.
Symptoms of Umbilical Hernia in Infants
- A soft lump or tumor seen in the belly button area when a baby coughs, cries, or pushes.
- The lump goes away when the baby is calm or lying down.
Treatment for Umbilical Hernia in Children
Most umbilical hernias get better on their own before a baby turns 1. But, if they don’t, or they’re big or hurt, surgery might be needed. Doctors see if the hernia is a problem and decide if it needs to be fixed with an operation.
Please note: Never try to fix a hernia at home with tape or any bandages. Always talk to a doctor. They know the best ways to help.
Advances in Hernia Surgery – Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Therapy
The world of hernia surgery is changing fast. It’s seeking new, better ways to help patients, especially with hard cases. A key new idea is to use biological technology to make healing faster and cut down on problems.
Scientists have been looking at covering special surgical meshes with the patient’s own cells. This not only makes the meshes work better with the body. It also lowers inflammation and lessens how much tissues stick together.
Research shows that using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and cells from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) boosts the wound healing process and makes hernia repairs stronger. In one case, a patient had PRP and BM-MSCs placed on a mesh to fix an abdominal hernia. They didn’t have the hernia come back for two years after the surgery.
These new steps seem very promising for making belly repairs better, especially in tough hernia cases. But, they still need a lot more testing to make sure they are safe and do the job well.
FAQ
Q: What is an umbilical hernia?
A: An umbilical hernia happens when part of the intestine comes out into the belly near the navel.
Q: What are the causes of an umbilical hernia?
A: Several things can cause an umbilical hernia. It can come from getting older, being male (it’s more common), how you were born, persistent coughing, straining to go to the bathroom, or hard work. Smoking, eating badly, being overweight, and lifting heavy things can also add to the risk. Certain medical problems can also be a cause.
Q: What are the symptoms of an umbilical hernia?
A: Signs of an umbilical hernia include a lump or swelling near the navel that you can push in. It might hurt more when you move. You could feel full, have trouble using the bathroom, or notice your belly or groin swelling.
Q: How is an umbilical hernia treated?
A: Watchful waiting is an option for some with a small hernia. Children might need surgery for bigger hernias if they’re causing issues. Surgery can be done through small cuts, large cuts, or using robots.
Q: When is surgery recommended for an umbilical hernia?
A: Kids with larger hernias or those with lasting symptoms are usually advised to have surgery.
Q: What are the complications of untreated umbilical hernias?
A: Not fixing an umbilical hernia can cause it to get stuck or hurt the part of the intestine that’s come out. This is serious and needs immediate medical care.
Q: How common are umbilical hernias in babies?
A: This kind of hernia is often seen in newborns, especially those who are early or small. It affects girls more than boys.
Q: What causes umbilical hernias in babies?
A: Babies get this hernia when muscles around their belly don’t close up all the way after birth. This opening is where the belly button is, when the cord falls off.
Q: What are the symptoms of umbilical hernias in newborns?
A: Newborns with this hernia have a soft lump where their navel is. It shows when they stress or cry but goes away when they’re calm or lying down.
Q: Do umbilical hernias in infants require surgery?
A: Most babies’ hernias heal on their own before they turn one. But if it’s still there by four years old, they might need surgery. For children, surgery is required if the hernia is big, painful, or doesn’t heal by itself.
Q: Can unverified methods be used to treat umbilical hernias in infants?
A: Avoid using home remedies like tape to fix hernias in babies. It’s best to see a doctor for the right advice and care.
Q: What are the advances in hernia surgery?
A: New treatments in hernia surgery use techniques like growing tissues and using stem cells. These methods are designed to help the body heal better after a hernia operation.
Q: How can stem cell therapy be used in hernia repair?
A: In hernia repair, stem cells from the body’s own tissues, like platelet-rich plasma, are being used to help heal better. These cells can make the repaired area stronger.
Q: Is there any evidence of successful stem cell therapy in hernia repair?
A: There is a report of strong healing in a person’s hernia surgery wound using stem cells and a special patch with no new hernia after two years. This suggests it could help reduce future problems.
Q: Are there ongoing studies and trials in the field of hernia surgery?
A: More research is being done to check if using stem cells and new tissues in hernia surgery is safe and works well.