Complications of an umbilical hernia in children
Most
umbilical hernias in children resolve on their own or
are surgically corrected by age 5.
In very rare cases, complications of an umbilical hernia develop that
require immediate surgery. These complications include:
- Incarceration or strangulation, which is when part of the intestine or abdominal tissue
becomes trapped in the hernia sac. If part of the intestine is trapped, stool
may not be able to pass through, and the blood supply to the trapped loop of
intestine may be cut off. This can lead to
gangrene, which is death and decay of the trapped
tissue.
- Rupture, when the skin over the
hernia breaks open, exposing the tissue inside the hernia sac. This is
extremely rare.
Symptoms of an incarcerated or strangulated umbilical hernia may
include the following:
- The doctor can't push part of the bulge back in the belly.
- The child's belly swells
(distension).
- The child is nauseous and/or vomits.
- The child cries or shows other evidence of pain.
- The bulge increases
in size, either gradually or suddenly.
- The skin is red, tender, or firm over the hernia sac.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
| Last Revised | January 5, 2010 |