Baby has a hernia: when to worry?

How did the baby manage to hernia?

But what could Baby have lifted to have a hernia? Mini dumbbells? A small piano? Nothing of the sort ! Unlike those of adults, which can form during exertion, in babies, hernias are small deformities that are present from birth. We speak of a “hernia” when part of an organ comes out of its usual location. A bulge appears under the skin and we feel a small soft lump under the finger. Most often, it is a part of the intestine that is found outside the abdominal cavity. In children, the most common are umbilical hernias (at the navel, or umbilicus) and groin (in the groin). But they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. If one is trivial and benign, the other requires monitoring and must be operated.

Umbilical hernia: when baby’s navel pops out

An umbilical hernia manifests itself soon after birth, once the umbilicus has healed. This is’a small ball, not very aesthetic, which comes out of the navel. It noticeably increases in volume as soon as your baby cries, coughs or makes an effort, but is perfectly reducible, that is to say it goes completely into the abdomen when gently pressed with the fingers. Although unsightly, this hernia is absolutely not painful.

Improper closure of the umbilical orifice

An umbilical hernia occurs when the opening where the umbilical cord was inserted closes poorly. The ring remains flabby, distends and may allow an intestinal loop to pass between the two large muscles of the abdomen, hence the gurgling sensation that often worries parents. It is this piece of intestine that creates a small lump under the skin.

Normally, the muscles closing the umbilical canal tighten at birth, but in some children there is a space between the two abdominal muscles also called “the great rights”(The famous chocolate wafers). This happens more frequently in premature babies, West Indian or African babies. In this case, the intestine threads its way into the hollow between the muscles, and a bulge the size of a marble or a walnut appears at the level of the navel. If you press on this little ball, it goes in effortlessly, but comes out immediately. Your baby has no particular pain.

Umbilical hernia: why does it mainly affect premature babies?

Babies born prematurely often have a lack of tone muscle at the abdominal wall. Result, we can see, under the skin, at the height of the navel, a small piece of their intestine. Note that the umbilical hernia is not necessarily present from birth. It can appear in the days or weeks that follow.

Umbilical hernia: no pain, no panic

Although you may feel like your baby is in pain, it normally has nothing to do with this bulge. Maybe your chick is just suffering from colic? If this worries you, talk to your doctor. No need to rush to the emergency room for that little bulge. With walking, little by little, your baby’s abdominals will strengthen. The hernia will go away on its own. If it has not gone away by 4 or 5 years, your doctor may suggest an operation. He will put the bowel back in its place and tighten both muscles.

How to treat an umbilical hernia in an infant?

An umbilical hernia presents almost no risk of complications in children. Most of the time, it resolves on its own as your baby grows and their abdominal muscles develop. If the hernia persists beyond the age of 5, you can then consider surgery for cosmetic reasons. The operation consists of stitching together the two muscles of the abdomen and it is easily performed in the context of a day hospitalization.

Umbilical hernia: be careful not to irritate the skin

Restraint with a bandage or coin is completely unnecessary. On the contrary, it can irritate the skin covering the small lump or cause it to macerate because of the urine. Instead, doctors advise choose diapers one size larger than your baby’s to prevent them from rubbing the hernia and causing irritation.

Umbilical hernia in babies: a mother’s testimony

Catherine says: “My son, who is now 2 years old, had an umbilical hernia a few weeks after his birth. He was born premature at 35 weeks old. My doctor then advised me to put a small bandage on the navel while keeping the hernia tucked inside. Everything has recovered very well. ” The umbilical hernia is safe for him and there is no need to operate. Elisabeth was very worried about it: “My son had one. We just had to watch that she didn’t gain weight. Suddenly, with his dad, we checked often, it’s an extra source of stress, and for nothing in the end! ”

Inguinal hernia: need an adapted operation

Another case, by changing the diaper, you see a small bulge, the size of an almond, in the hollow of the groin or a swollen testicle in your little boy. It’s a inguinal hernia. A part of the intestine, or even the ovary in a little girl, can pass through the slit of the peritoneo-vaginal canal, a small opening that should normally close before birth, or in the first months afterwards. Little boys are more often affected than little girls. There can be one on both sides. The risk is that the organ will expand and get stuck in the opening. The blood can no longer circulate and it hurts! We then speak of strangulated hernia.

Inguinal hernia: the procedure of the surgery

Make a call to your doctor who will examine the child or go urgently to the hospital where a pediatric surgeon works, who is used to operating on toddlers. Do not try to push the small lump in your groin and do not press on it. The operation lasts a little less than an hour. Your child is given an adapted general anesthesia, as well as a “regional” anesthesia. It’s about lulling a whole group of nerves to sleep. After the operation, he will not feel any pain. The surgeon replaces the organ and sews up the opening of the canal. Before 6 months, your baby will be looked after overnight. After this age, he will leave with you at the end of the operation.

Julie remembers: “My daughter was operated on at 1 month for an ovarian hernia. We came back Tuesday afternoon to go out on Thursday. It was very difficult to see her leave in an incubator, but the medical team was very good. There were 2 small incisions in the belly fold. Everything went very well, no complications! Today we no longer see anything. She is now 6 months old and everything is fine. ” Depending on the hospital – and the operating surgeon – the operation may be performed by laparoscopy. An incision is then made in the abdomen and a tiny camera is inserted at the end of a wire. High precision work, but necessary to avoid damaging babies’ tiny organs!