Is your baby’s navel sticking out? He probably has a umbilical hernia. “A congenital anomaly which is characterized by a more or less prominent protuberance at the level of the navel”, explains Dr. Anne Mathiot, visceral infant surgeon and urologist at the Boulogne-Billancourt clinic. Nothing to do with the way the cord was cut in the maternity ward. Simple accident of genetics.
Abdominal muscles that are not tight enough
Normally, the two large muscles in the abdomen that close the umbilical canal tighten on their own at birth, but sometimes, especially in premature babies, they are not strong enough. A hole can then form and let escape a piece of intestine which will cause the appearance of a small soft ball under the skin.
Rest assured. Even if it is sometimes impressive, the umbilical hernia is completely benign, painless, and presents almost no risk of complications. “Unlike an inguinal hernia, which is characterized by a lump between the abdomen and the thigh, it is rare for an umbilical hernia to become completely stuck, which is called a strangulation, and causes intestinal obstruction,” reassures Dr Mathiot. “It is above all an aesthetic problem. “
It works out with walking
A single watchword therefore: be patient! “In the majority of cases, the hernia disappears on its own when the child learns to walk and his abdominals strengthen,” notes the surgeon. If it has not resolved by the age of 3-4, then surgery may be considered. “We practice, under general anesthesia, a small incision in an arc around the navel and we bring the edges of the muscle together with stitches to close the hole,” explains Dr. Mathiot. “The child usually hurts a little the same day, but after two days he can start playing quite normally. “