hernia and outy belly button in a two year old

[swanduck]

Nearly 2 year old dd just had scan today because she has outy belly button. Showed a small hernia. The doc doing the scan was non commital about whether anythign needs doing or indeed whether we should see a specialist. Only when I said what do I do next - should I ask for a specialist appt or do we just sit on these results for ever without getting them looked at by anyone did he concede that perhaps yes we should now get GP to refer us to a peadiatric surgeon to decide course of action.

Anyone else had this - and what can I expect?

My son, now aged 7, has this too. He's always had quite a pronounced "outy" bellybutton and it does get a little larger when he strains, e.g. coughs, and has been diagnosed with a small hernia following GP referral to the appropriate general surgery specialist. However the consultant feels that as it stands the main reason to operate on it would be purely cosmetic. The hernia is not huge, and if this changes as he gets older (or takes up weight lifting or something similar that really strains his tummy muscles) then definitely that would be the time for surgery. DS isn't bothered by having an outy tummy button (though this could change when he's older) and he has been through surgery before and I don't wish him to go through any more procedures unless absolutely medically necessary. The consultant seemed to think there's a good chance he'll never need it operating on - it may not get any bigger (and indeed it hasn't really grown at all since toddlerhood). Hope this helps a little! x

PS. My son also had an inguinal hernia (hernia in the groin) when tiny which did need operating on - it was a very simple and straightforward procedure which I think in older children they would do as day surgery. DS had to stay in two nights but only because he was tiny (he was 10 weeks prem, and had this op shortly after leaving SCBU). A tiny scar remains which has faded to a very feint think silver line which can barely be seen. No complications of any sort following the surgery :)

oops typos... I mean "very faint thin silver line"!!

My 3 year old dd has one of these. It's only just become obvious and she's constantly fiddling with it. Her cousins (2 and 3) have commented I. it so the cosmetic side is already becoming an issue for her. We're seeing GP on Thursday so will post when we see what he says.

My one year old has an umbilical hernia, we have been told to leave it and only get concerned if there are any significant changes to it, colour etc. They have said it will probably reduce as she gets older.
It is now starting to go down a bit (she has had it since about six weeks old) but it really sticks out when she cries

My 3 year old had a huge umbilical hernia as a baby. The dr said it should just go down itself and it did. She now has quite a prominent 'outy' that I love. It's visible when clothes are tight in that area but we have been told any surgery would be purely cosmetic. If it bothers her later on maybe we will look into that but for now it's just a lovely part of her. And I can't help but think if must be so much more hygienic than an 'inny'