Umbilical Hernia- Normal??

[Trabra]

6 week old DD has an umbilical hernia and I could swear it’s getting bigger.

I know it’s really common but is it normal for it to get bigger? Really freaks me out seeing it bulge so much and I just can’t imagine it going away any time soon 😫

If they’re going to disappear what age does that normally happen? Dr just said “by 1yr”…?

Picture attached…

DD had a umbilical hernia and it did not look like that; hers was just a little bulge alongside her belly button.
I'd ask for an urgent review with your GP. The risk is the bowel can twist and that's an emergency that needs surgical intervention very quickly.
DD's never really got worse but it didn't get better either and she had (non-urgent) repair surgery when she was 3.
Would your GP see you today? Even if just for peace of mind.

This was DD's (the photo was taken in hospital just before she went down for the surgery to repair it).

One of my twin DDs had an umbilical hernia exactly like that at around 2 months, by 4 months it was even bigger but then around 5/6 months started getting slowly smaller. She just turned one and it’s now a completely normal small looking outie with no medical intervention, we just kept an eye on it and I asked the HV and GP to check it a few times when we were seeing them for weigh ins or immunisations. It’s important to gently check it’s still soft everyday and keep an eye on the colour I was advised by the GP, it’s rare but if it goes grey and hard you need to go to A&E. Definitely check with your GP if you’re worried.

On the normal spectrum.

Surgeons will only intervene if bowel gets stuck in it (red, inflamed hernia, upset child) or it is still present after age of 2.

My son's was huge, about 4 times the size of your son's. It went back in by itself once he started sitting. It was almost over night! Once they start sitting and their stomach muscles strengthen it'll go. It honestly look completely normal by a year. He only learnt to sit at 10 months as he was 2 months premmie but I'm sure if he had sat earlier it would have gone earlier.

My DS has a HUGE umbilical hernia. The dictor said it might go by time he's 1. It didn't. Then he said by 2. It didn't and was still huge. Then they said wait until he's 3. It's not gone and he has now been referred for surgery.

Your DDs isn't as large as my DS. It has never caused him issues. Just keep an eye that ot doesn't get bigger.

Thank you so much everyone! Really helpful Got a doctors appt in two weeks so much just monitor until then 🤞

My sons looked like this, got it checked out just in case but was absolutely fine and went away again on its own, no issues.
He now just had a normal looking belly button

@MauveMavis

On the normal spectrum.

Surgeons will only intervene if bowel gets stuck in it (red, inflamed hernia, upset child) or it is still present after age of 2.

Not true. They will intervene if it's not reducible. Or it's large. Which that is. All the babies I've looked after who have had them repaired have looked like that. OP you need to ask for a surgical referral. (I'm a paediatric nurse)

@Toddlerteaplease Do you think it's ok to wait 2weeks til appointment or go to baby a&e?

@NameChangeCity123 thank you! How long til it went away?

Yes it will be fine to wait for the GP. If they decide it needs surgery. (And it may not) you'll have to wait anyway.

@Toddlerteaplease They had surgery before the age of 2?

Yep. Don't think I've ever looked after a toddler with one. They've all been babies. They have a 'hernia' list.

This is in large children's hospital.

@Toddlerteaplease what exactly do you think an irreducible hernia is?
It's when bowel gets stuck in it!!

I just didn't use the medical term as non medical people don't really know that it means.

Large hernias are actually less risky as the neck is bigger so the risk of strangulation is lower. However, they are also less likely to close spontaneously so are more likely to need surgical closure (but this is usually postponed until after the age of 2).

The BAPS leaflet is here.

www.baps.org.uk/content/uploads/2017/03/PS05lite_en.pdf

if you don't believe me speak to a surgeon at your place of work. I also work in a tertiary children's hospital and am a little concerned about your reply.

Just to clarify as I think there has been a bit of confusion on this thread which also illustrates the difficulties with taking medical advice from the internet.

Umbilical hernias are also quite different to inguinal hernias.

These are always operated on as they don't heal spontaneously.

In fact, pre-term babies often come to my institution from their local neonatal unit to get their hernia fixed before being discharged home.

I’m a bit concerned too - either @Toddlerteaplease works with a really hung-ho surgeon (not a good quality), or she is missing something in the presentation. You just don’t routinely repair uncomplicated, reducible umbilical hernias in babies. It’s not necessary, because most of them resolve spontaneously by age 3, and anaesthetising a tiny baby isn’t straightforward.

I can only tell you that in my experience, we operate on a lot of babies with hernias. Some of which are reducible. But the surgeons have obviously decided that they won't close on their own.

Is it soft to the touch and can it easily be poked back in? That’s the test that the medical professionals have done on my DS. If it’s tough then it’s been suggested that they would refer. I’ve just been sent away to see if it closes up naturally. Your GP can take a look at baby’s 6-8 week check up.

His is huge but didn’t look as red and protruding, and it is slowly going down as his stomach muscles strengthen.

@Toddlerteaplease is your unit operating on umbilical hernias though?
They are usually only operated on under 3 if incarcerated as 90% will resolve spontaneously.

Inguinal (groin) hernias are operated on fairly quickly after diagnosis as they don’t resolve by themselves.

Please clarify this at work. Not all hernias are the same and I find it concerning that you may not appreciate this especially as you are presenting yourself as a senior member of the surgical nursing staff.

Yes it does umbilical hernias! I do know the difference. I've been a nurse for 18 years!

@Toddlerteaplease

Yes it does umbilical hernias! I do know the difference. I've been a nurse for 18 years!

Your unit routinely repairs uncomplicated, non-incarcerated umbilical hernias in babies?

Incarcerated ones yep.

Inguinal hernias yep.

Over 3s yep.

Non-incarcerated umbilicals in babies, nope. Completely against guidelines, and your unit is really out of step with normal practice if they are doing that, and scaring parents into consenting to it.

I had a bigger one when I was younger. I had surgery when I was 8, purely for cosmetic reasons. It didn't hurt, but belly tops were becoming the fashion 🤣