Patient's question:
I recently discovered that my son has a small lump near his navel these days. It's most noticeable when he's lying down. When I press the baby, he will cry. My mother said it's a hernia, which is very common, and she asked me to take my son for surgery as soon as possible. What is the best time for treating 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 the first 2 years of life, 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.