Umbilical Hernia: Causes And Symptoms

When a portion of your intestine bulges through the gap in your abdominal muscles around your belly button, it’s called an umbilical hernia (navel). Umbilical hernias are a common complication that is usually painless. Although umbilical hernias are most frequent in infants, they can also afflict adults. An umbilical hernia in an infant might be particularly noticeable when the baby cries, causing the belly button to protrude. This is a classic indicator of a hernia in the umbilical cord. Umbilical hernias in children usually close on their own within the first two years of life, while some remain open for up to five years. Adult-onset umbilical hernias are more likely to necessitate surgical correction.

Symptoms

A soft swelling or bulging near the navel is caused by an umbilical hernia. The bulge in an umbilical hernia may only be evident when a baby cries, coughs, or strains. Children’s umbilical hernias are normally painless. Adult-onset umbilical hernias can cause abdominal pain and discomfort.

Causes

The umbilical cord passes through a small opening in the baby’s abdominal muscles during pregnancy. Normally, the opening closes shortly after birth. An umbilical hernia can develop at birth or later in life if the muscles in the midline of the abdominal wall do not connect entirely. Umbilical hernias are caused by too much abdominal pressure in adults. Increased abdominal pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Obesity

Multiple pregnancies

Fluid in the abdominal cavity

Previous abdominal surgery

Long-term peritoneal dialysis to treat kidney failure

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