Umbilical Cord Hernia

An umbilical cord hernia or umbilical hernia is actually a condition where the belly button of a baby or a young child pops out. This is often called an “outie” in American slang and it usually is not a reason for concern.

This kind of hernia occurs because the belly button is the point at which the umbilical cord is attached to the fetus in a mother’s womb. When a baby is born the cord is detached and this sometimes causes stress that creates a hernia.

In most cases, an umbilical cord hernia will not be noticed until sometime after birth. The hernia is a balloon shaped protrusion of the belly button that will usually appear in the child’s first year. Even though it is a hernia, there is nothing painful or life threatening about.

Nothing to Worry About

An umbilical cord hernia is normally nothing to worry about because it usually does not hurt the child. In most cases it will go away naturally by the time the child is one year old.

Historically many parents taped a coin over the hernia or used a belt to push it back. These methods did no harm but doctors now believe they are unnecessary. Instead doctors now believe that most umbilical cord hernias will go away on their own.

Parents don’t have to do anything in most cases but to wait. Not only will the hernia go away, there will be no scar or lasting mark left by it.

When to Worry About an Umbilical Cord Hernia

Even though the vast majority of umbilical cord hernias are harmless there are few times they can be dangerous.

Sometimes part of the child’s internal organs usually the intestines can get stuck in the hernia sack. This condition is called an incarcerated umbilical hernia and it will require surgery to fix it.

A parent can tell if an umbilical cord hernia is incarcerated if the hernia is hard or if it is painful to the child. In some cases such a hernia can also change color. If a parent suspects such a hernia they should take the child to the doctor or emergency room immediately.

The only other time umbilical cord hernia surgery could be necessary is if the child still has such a hernia by the time they enter kindergarten. Some large umbilical cord hernias can last until the child is four or five years old then disappear on their own.

If the hernia is very big or it doesn’t go away, surgery can close it up. The main reason parents should consider this kind of surgery is to avoid the child becoming an object of ridicule because of the hernia.