Patient's question:
I just noticed a small lump near my son's navel these days. It's most noticeable when he's lying down. When I press the baby, he'll cry. My mother said it's a hernia, which is very common, and she told me to take my son for surgery as soon as possible. What is the best time to treat a child's hernia?Doctor's answer:
Infantile umbilical hernia is a type of abdominal wall hernia caused by the intestines, omentum, and other structures. It is a congenital defect in the development of the umbilical cord. As the child grows older, the severity of the umbilical hernia decreases. Most umbilical hernias can heal on their own within 2 years of age, while a few require surgical treatment. It is recommended to take the baby to the outpatient clinic for a check-up to determine if surgery is necessary. Some hernias in infants can heal on their own before the age of 2. Daily care and diet should be paid attention to, avoiding coughing caused by colds, and try to minimize abdominal pressure.