Stomach hernia

[calvemjoe]

My ds is 17mnths old and has had a hernia about 2cm above his belly button since he was born. He was sitting up after his bath when I noticed the hernia is now the size of a £2 coin and bulges whenever he tightens up his tummy muscles. Do I need to rush him to the doctors monday morning or is it ok to wait until I go to the dr's for some other reason and ask then? Help!

[nutcracker]

I think I would go get it checked sooner rather than later just for reassurance if nothing else.

My dd2 has had one in the same place since she was about 2.6 i think. She had it checked by a pead when she was about 3.5 and he said it was fine and that he wouldn't do anything to it unless it bothered dd when she got older or it increased in size.

Dd's is only pea sized though not as big as you Ds's.

[calvemjoe]

It seems to have grown with him. I hadn't really thought about it recently and suddenly it seems huge.

[nutcracker]

Definatly worth getting it checked then I would say.

[calvemjoe]

Thanks. can never work out if I'm overreacting or not - he's so precious!

[foxinsocks]

calvemjoe, my dd had a hernia above her belly button - probably about 5cm, around half way between her belly button and the middle hard bone of her ribs. Her hernia was called an epigastric hernia - I'm not sure if it's the same type as your ds.

Anyway, to cut this tale short (!), she was referred to a paediatric surgeon by the GP who was very dismissive and didn't really think she needed referring - the surgeon said it definitely had to be corrected as epigastric hernias don't go away. They did the op just after her 4th birthday.

It's always worth getting this checked by the GP who should refer you to the paediatrician to get an opinion on it (if it's one that might possibly need an op). I know there are other types of hernia which don't have to be operated on but the GP would be able to tell you which category it fell in to.

[calvemjoe]

Thanks Foxinsocks, I appreciate the info.