Patient's question:
After the baby was born, I have been taking care of the baby. Today, it has been exactly ten days since the baby was born, and the umbilical cord has fallen off. After I noticed that the baby's umbilical cord had fallen off, I found that there was a protrusion at the umbilical cord. I want to know what to do if a newborn's umbilical cord protrudes. Is it normal?Doctor's answer:
An umbilical hernia is mainly caused by incomplete development of the abdominal wall around the navel, weakened abdominal wall muscle strength, or a defect in the abdominal wall. Premature infants are more prone to developing it. The umbilical hernia has been present for a long time. It may suddenly occur when the child cries or has severe diarrhea. When a child has an umbilical hernia, parents should pay attention to the child's reactions. If the child suddenly shows discomfort symptoms such as crying, it is important to check the child's umbilical cord immediately. If the abnormal swelling of the umbilical cord cannot be resolved within a short period of time, consider umbilical hernia incarceration (i.e., the intestines protruding forward and being compressed, unable to return to the abdominal cavity on their own). Immediate medical attention should be sought for examination and treatment. Wishing your baby good health.