Umbilical hernia in newborns: is it worth worrying?

Umbilical hernia in newborns is a fairly common diagnosis in pediatrics, which occurs in 20% of infants. The disease, indeed, unpleasant, but with a competent medical approach and increased vigilance of parents does not endanger the life of the child and in the future is productively eliminated.

So, what is the reason for the formation of this pathological process, and what is its "behavior" in the still fragile child organism? First of all, it should be noted that preterm infants are more likely to suffer from this disease , since it is much more difficult for them to bear various loads.

Umbilical hernia in newborns has a lot of reasons, but the main emphasis must be made on the weakness of the abdominal muscles and the increased distance between the rectus muscles in the abdominal region. Of course, when the baby constantly cries, the intra-abdominal pressure is rapidly increasing, which also provokes this anomaly.

Among the pathogenic causes are the accumulation of gases in the intestine, as well as the wrong bandage of the umbilical cord immediately after the infant appears on the light. In addition, the hereditary factor, as well as a number of pathologies due to a decrease in muscle tone, can precede this disease.

Symptoms of the umbilical hernia are obvious and require immediate consultation of the pediatrician. Initially, parents observe the protrusion of the umbilical ring, which is especially visualized when the child cries, screams or "stiffens", trying to go to the toilet. By the way, crying and heightened anxiety of the baby are also signs of a characteristic disease.

Umbilical hernia in newborns is sometimes increased to such a size that it is possible to clearly distinguish the omentum, stomach, liver or intestine through its thin film, and when pressed it can easily be pushed back into the abdominal cavity. If you suspect a disease, you need to urgently consult a doctor and find out ways to solve the problem.

Umbilical hernia in a child often yields to conservative treatment, without requiring surgical manipulation. By the age of five, she usually disappears, but only on the condition that she was productive at the time.

So, there are several ways of treating this pathology, it all depends on the complexity of the clinical picture, we'll take a closer look at them.

Massage and physiotherapy. Here it is not at all about amateur home procedures. Rather, the help and participation of a children's masseur is needed. Why? It's simple: the umbilical hernia in newborns needs a preliminary correction and fixation with a special plaster immediately before performing the exercise.

Laying the baby on his stomach. This is the most favorable situation, because this way the child can completely get rid of the guns. Also there is a decrease in intra-abdominal pressure, an obstacle is created to protrude the hernia.

Overlay bandage or special plaster. This procedure is appropriate only after the knowledgeable doctor has put on the umbilical hernia. After that, he returns the skin of the navel into the fold and fixes the patch, which is easily removed after ten days.

Despite the fact that the umbilical hernia in newborns is extremely difficult to pinch, every parent who has had a hernia problem should know the symptoms of a characteristic pinch. It is important to remember that pinching requires immediate surgical manipulations and is a threat to the life of the baby.

Only vigilant monitoring of parents for their children and timely treatment of this disease can ensure the final recovery and further health of babies.