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Umbilical hernia in children

Last reviewed: 10 Nov 2024
Last updated: 15 Jun 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • present since birth
  • bulge at the umbilicus
  • change in size/tension during movement
  • skin changes
  • easily reducible hernia sac
  • well-defined rim of fascia with central defect
  • variable diameter of defect
  • symptoms of small bowel obstruction
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • intermittent discomfort
Full details

Risk factors

  • low birth weight
  • African ancestry
  • Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS)
  • trisomy 21, 18, 13
  • congenital hypothyroidism
  • mucopolysaccharidoses
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • diagnosis is clinical
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

incarcerated hernia

ONGOING

large or symptomatic hernia

small and asymptomatic hernia

Contributors

Authors

Charles L. Snyder, MD

Professor of Surgery

Chief, Section of Surgery

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Children's Mercy Hospital

Kansas City

MO

Disclosures

CLS declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Charles L. Snyder wishes to gratefully acknowledge Dr Charles M. Leys, a previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

CML declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Michael A. Skinner, MD

Professor and Vice Chairman

Pediatric Surgery

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas

TX

Disclosures

MAS declares that he has no competing interests.

Bangalore S. Ramanand, MS, DNB, FRCS, MSC

Locum Consultant Surgeon

Glan Clwyd Hospital

Rhyl

UK

Disclosures

BSR declares that he has no competing interests.

LS Wong, MB ChB

Consultant Surgeon

Honorary Associate

Professor of Surgery

University Hospitals Coventry

UK

Disclosures

LSW declares that he has no competing interests.

Emmanuel Atta Agaba, MD, FRCS, FACS

Fellow in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Montefiore Medical Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Bronx, New York City

NY

Disclosures

EAA declares that he has no competing interests.

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