Medical Questions » Babies Questions » Question No. 112
| Question: | My newborn son has an umbilical hernia. The doctor told me not to worry about it, but i think it looks horrible. Can it be serious? |
| Answer: | No. This is a common problem, and the vast majority correct themselves by 5 years of age. If they persist beyond this age, a small operation can be done to correct it. Most infants can have the lump in the centre of their belly button pushed back into the abdomen.
If the lump cannot be reduced, or it becomes red and tender, a doctor should be consulted immediately. This is uncommon, but sometimes a small loop of gut can get caught in the hernia.
The umbilical hernias developed by older people are actually a different disease, due to a breakdown of the fibrous tissue above or below the umbilicus, and again rarely cause problems. |
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