Umbilical hernia history and symptoms

Umbilical hernia presents with a soft swelling over the belly button that bulges when the baby sits up, cries, or strains. The bulge may be flat when the infant lies on the back and is quiet. The width can vary from less than 1 centimeter to more than 5 centimeters. All families of babies with an umbilical hernia should be counseled about signs of incarceration; abdominal pain, bilious emesis, and a tender, hard mass protruding from the umbilicus. Treatment is by the size of the defect, the age of the patient, and the cosmetic appearance of the abdomen. Most defects close spontaneously by the age of two years.

The history and symptoms are as follows:^[1][2][3][4]

• History given by parents include:
  • Swelling of the belly button, which increases when the baby is crying, coughing, or straining.
• All families of babies with an umbilical hernia should be counseled about signs of incarceration.
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bilious emesis
  • Tender, hard mass protruding from the umbilicus.
• Width from less than 1 centimeter to more than 5 centimeters.
• Soft swelling over the belly button that often bulges when the baby sits up, cries, or strains.
• The bulge may be flat when the infant lies on the back and is quiet.
• Treatment depends on:
  • Size of the defect
  • Age of the patient
  • Cosmetic appearance of the abdomen.
• Most defects close spontaneously by the age of two years.

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