Treatment of umbilical hernia in children and newborns massage operation. Umbilical hernia in children

Date of: 13.04.2019

An umbilical hernia in newborns is one of the most common surgical diseases in this age. But parents should not be afraid if a pathology is diagnosed in a child - with timely treatment manages to eliminate it. It is important to have an idea about the structure of the navel and the mechanisms of hernia.

Anatomically, the navel is a scar of the skin above the ring. It is a hole, or gap, in the white line of the abdomen with outlined edges, consisting of connective tissue aponeuroses of the abdominal muscles (see photo).

In the fetus, the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) containing blood vessels passes through the ring. It connects the child with the mother's body. Immediately after the baby is born, the umbilical cord is tied up, and the umbilical cord residue in newborns disappears for 5-7 days. Vessels inside the ring, as unnecessary, in infants are eventually replaced by connective tissue, scarred.

There are no muscles in the area of the ring, which means that there is no holding frame for the internal organs. As a result, if the ring does not grow in time, the peritoneum and intestinal loops begin to protrude through it.

4 causes of hernias

The reasons are different. They are conditionally divided into those that act in utero (and a congenital hernia occurs), and those that provoke the appearance of an umbilical hernia after birth.

Causes (in the prenatal period):

genetic predisposition - in infants whose parents suffered from a hernia in childhood, the risk of developing pathology is much higher. Due to congenital connective tissue failure in a child, transmitted from parents.
malnutrition, reduced muscle tone, prematurity are also predisposing factors in which the gap in the white line of the abdomen does not overgrow;
unfavorable environmental factors, bad habits mothers can also lead to impaired muscle and connective tissue development.
After birth, the provoking factors for a hernia are prolonged crying of the newborn, colic, coughing, constipation, which leads to increased pressure, called intra-abdominal pressure, and protrusion of the navel.

There is an opinion among the people that the cause of hernias is the wrong actions of the midwife crossing the umbilical cord. The judgment is wrong - the process of crossing is in no way connected with either the appearance of a defect or the shape of the navel.

External manifestations of hernias

An umbilical hernia can appear immediately after birth. Often, symptoms occur in the infant and some time after birth.

External symptoms of hernias: protrusion of the skin in the navel area in an infant. Education is allowed in various sizes - from 1 cm to 4-5 cm or even more, it all depends on the ring defect in newborns. The contents are the peritoneum and intestinal loops. Signs of the presence of the intestine in the hernia - peristalsis.

A hernia, if it is not infringed, can be easily corrected. When repositioned, a crunch is heard when the intestines take their normal position. After reduction, you can feel the edges of the hernial orifice, and thereby determine the size of the defect.

It seems to parents that the disease greatly worries the newborn, it hurts, which is manifested by prolonged crying. In fact, the cause of crying is colic, constipation, and the protrusion itself does not cause any discomfort in the child and does not bother him, if it is not infringed. Fortunately, infringement occurs infrequently. Its signs:

severe anxiety of the newborn, vomiting;
compaction of hernial contents, discoloration;
impossibility of control.

Parenting Tactics

Parents should be careful with their baby. It is necessary to examine newborns every time they change clothes or bathe, especially if there are risk factors. If there are any suspicious symptoms (protrusion of the navel, even if it goes away on its own), you need to tell the pediatrician or pediatric surgeon about it.

And if there are symptoms of infringement with an already established diagnosis, then you should immediately call ambulance, because this condition can lead to intestinal necrosis.

Therapeutic measures for hernias

Most often, the defect of the ring overgrows with time (especially if the diameter of the hole is small), and all external manifestations disappear on their own. This usually happens by 3 or 4 years of age. But this does not mean that it is not necessary to treat the disease. On the contrary, with the correct implementation of all measures, it is possible to get rid of the defect earlier, sometimes during the neonatal period.

Treatment consists of several methods, each of which is selected individually by the surgeon. Often the treatment will involve several modalities, i.e. carried out comprehensively. Conservative methods of treatment:

gymnastics;
massage (general and local);
methods in which the hole is closed artificially (bandage, plaster).

Sometimes, if the hernia does not go away after 5 years, surgical treatment is used, which is reduced to the operation of suturing the defect.

Conservative treatment

The therapy begins with the normalization of bowel function: you need to adjust the stool, pick up effective drug from colic and bloating. In a word, it is necessary to eliminate all the reasons why intra-abdominal pressure rises.

The next step in the treatment of hernia in newborns is to strengthen the muscles. For this, massage and gymnastics are used. They can be carried out by a specialist. If you learn it yourself, then the behavior of these procedures at home is allowed on your own. The effect will be greater if you do massage and gymnastics several times a day, and it is more convenient to do this at home, in a comfortable environment for the child.

An indispensable condition for recovery is bringing the ring into a "normal" closed state, which is achieved using a patch or bandage.

Gymnastics is used as the most accessible and easy way. Before starting gymnastics, it is imperative to set and seal the hernial protrusion using a patch. In newborns, classes are more passive - laying out on the stomach, stimulating crawling, turning over. With older children, rings can be used: pull-ups with support, reclining. For any age, classes on a fitball or gymnastic ball will be useful (see video).
To strengthen the muscles, improve the discharge of gases, the newborn is massaged. In the first case - soft pressing in the area of muscle localization (1-2 cm to the left and right of the ring), rubbing with the edge of the palm, tapping. In the second case, the massage is performed in the newborn in the direction of the natural movement of the intestinal contents: from the right iliac region up, then along the hypochondrium across the abdomen, then down to the left iliac region.
As a conservative approach, a special patch is used. The main condition for gluing is the complete healing of the umbilical wound. The patch ("Porofix", "Chicco", "Hartman") for the first time should be glued by the doctor and show the parents the method of implementation. Basically, they are superimposed for 10 days, then they change to a new one. As a rule, three such cycles are enough for the disease to go away.

Another product that provides closure of hernias is a bandage. Wide elastic waistband to keep belly button in place. The bandage is especially convenient for newborns. In older children who are actively moving, the bandage constantly slips and therefore it is not very convenient to use it. The method is effective only when used in combination with others.

How to prevent hernia?

Prevention of the disease begins with the normalization of the intestines: treatment of constipation, colic, organization proper nutrition excluding violations. It is important to strengthen the muscles of the whole body and abdomen in a timely manner. You should lay the baby on the tummy, do gymnastics.
Prevention of infringement consists in early treatment of hernias.

Previously, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers spoke to get rid of the disease. Medicine in our time has an impressive arsenal of hernia treatment. Using them skillfully, there is every chance to cure the disease, saving parents and the baby from subsequent suffering - physical and psychological!

Even with a normal pregnancy and successful delivery, no one is immune from unpleasant surprises, one of which may be the most common surgical pathology in childhood - umbilical hernia.

Doctors, referring to statistics, claim that this diagnosis can be found in every fifth full-term baby, and in children born prematurely, and even more often - in every third case, not to mention the fact that almost all newborns are diagnosed with at least minimal umbilical defects. rings.

Someone is trying to get rid of adversity using grandmother's conspiracies or methods, like gluing coins to the baby's navel, but it's not worth risking the child's health and wasting precious time. It is better to find out the features and nuances of this condition in order to understand what needs to be done, and whether everything is really so scary.

Let's understand everything in order. After the birth, after some time, the umbilical wound should heal in the child, and in its place, the navel should form. The emerging navel surrounds umbilical ring, through which all the vessels and vitally necessary crumbs of communication previously passed.

A newborn baby is cut off the umbilical cord, since he no longer needs such a connection with his mother, and the muscles that are around the navel begin to gradually contract.

As a rule, it takes three to four weeks for the wound to heal completely. If during this time the muscles of the umbilical ring have not closed, then upon examination, the pediatrician can diagnose the baby with a children's umbilical hernia.

How she looks like?

Already in the very first days of a baby’s life, even completely inexperienced parents will be able to discern the symptoms and signs of pathology: when the baby cries a lot, screams or pushes, an oval or round protrusion occurs around the navel - this is an umbilical hernia.

Various fragments of the abdominal organs can protrude - the peritoneum itself, the greater omentum, the intestinal loop. They protrude under the skin in the opening of the umbilical ring, which did not close completely during the first month of the baby's life.

Feeling the navel area, you yourself can feel how your fingers simply fall into abdominal cavity. After such palpation, the doctor determines how large the area that surrounds the hernial protrusion is. This area is also called the edges of the hernial ring, and the protrusion itself is called the hernial sac.

So, a hernia consists of:

actually, protrusions or internal membranes - a hernial sac;
fragments of organs that fell into hernial sac and are there - hernial contents;
the area surrounding the hernial sac, or the weakest place in the abdominal wall, through which the hernia will “crawl out” - the hernial ring.

The main symptoms and signs in a child

If you regularly undergo scheduled examinations with the baby at the pediatrician, then you don’t have to worry, as the doctor will definitely see even the slightest defects in the development of the crumbs.

In the absence of medical examinations, be sure to monitor the health of the crumbs yourself. The symptoms of a hernia in newborn babies are very simple, so you can't miss them:

Babies with a hernia have a bulging navel when they scream/cry/cough or push to have a bowel movement.
the protrusion has a rounded or oval shape;
if the baby is calm and lies in a relaxed state, then the hernia is not visible, but as soon as it strains, it immediately appears;
the protrusion area may increase every day;
with strong crying, the baby's tummy may even swell a little;
the baby is restless and irritable, sensitive to weather changes;
if you press on the navel, the finger will fall into the abdominal cavity, and to the touch you will feel like a balloon;
when pressed, a characteristic sound is heard, resembling a rumbling or gurgling.

A hernia can have different sizes - from a small pea, up to one centimeter in diameter, to a large plum and more (ten centimeters in diameter).

What are they like?

There are two main types of umbilical hernias.

Congenital pathology - it is detected immediately in the maternity hospital, since it is characterized by the fact that in the area of \u200b\u200bthe navel of the crumbs a spherical protrusion will be visible, which has a fairly wide base, which passes into the umbilical cord.
Acquired - manifests itself two to three months after birth, if the baby has certain violations of the full functioning of all internal organs and under some other conditions for the formation of pathology.

Another subspecies is also distinguished - a hernia of the umbilical cord or an omphalocele (embryonic) hernia. It is considered one of the developmental anomalies, as a result of which there is a delay in the formation abdominal wall, but internal organs protrude into the umbilical cord.

Such intrauterine pathology belongs to the category of complex ones, since it is almost impossible to see it on any diagnostic examination ultrasound. In addition, embryonic hernia is accompanied by other developmental abnormalities, as well as defects in the internal organs and systems of the child.

To solve this problem, usually only urgent surgical treatment, which is possible either in the prenatal period, or as quickly as possible after the birth of the baby.

Degree of possible influence and consequences

Even if your baby was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, then you should not worry and worry, because at this age the disease can even go away by itself without any outside interference. It's just that the baby will grow and his muscles will gradually get stronger, which will allow the umbilical ring to completely shrink and close the hernia.

Self-healing of hernias occurs even with very large hernial protrusions and a non-protracted umbilical ring in seventy to eighty percent of cases.

To a greater extent, pediatricians attribute the umbilical hernia of newborns to the category cosmetic defects, and not diseases, since there are quite good reasons for this.

Firstly, with umbilical hernias, cases of infringement or compression of the contents of the protrusion are practically unknown, as with inguinal ones, when circulatory disorders and other undesirable consequences are caused.
Secondly, this condition is not painful for the baby, since the hernia itself does not hurt.

However, often a hernia can be accompanied by painful bloating, which causes considerable discomfort to the crumbs. Also, as already mentioned, the child becomes very sensitive to the weather and even meteorologically dependent. And the course of the disease as a whole will depend on the size of the hernia.

In rare cases, complications are also possible, which are characterized by the following conditions:

the baby does not experience severe bloating, to which pain is added;
the protrusion sharply and rapidly increases in size;
nausea or vomiting occurs;
the hernia cannot be pushed into the abdominal cavity;
you can notice that the skin of the hernial sac has acquired sensitivity, become red or coarsened.

With such signs, you should immediately consult a doctor, as they may indicate a strangulated hernia or severe compression of fragments of internal organs in the hernial sac.

Sometimes inflammation occurs, and even a hernia rupture, when the skin bursts, exposing the entire contents of the hernial sac. A condition called coprostasis, which means stagnation of feces in the large intestine, will also be dangerous.

Such complications are solved exclusively with the help of surgery, and in other cases, doctors prefer to refrain from surgical intervention and treat the hernia with more conservative methods.

Why it happens: main causes and risk factors

Very often, among the main reasons why a hernia is formed in a child, parents name the incorrect cutting of the umbilical cord in the maternity hospital, due to which the umbilical ring was too wide, and behind it a hernia. However, this is not the case at all, because the causes of the pathology are completely different.

The human abdominal wall consists of several layers:

skin;
muscles;
peritoneum;
subcutaneous fat;
dense aponeurosis.

Since the main bearing layers are muscles and aponeurosis, it will depend on their strength and development whether a problem appears or not. If these layers have weakness, then the elastic peritoneum will begin to protrude through hernial orifice, and when the hernial sac increases in size and goes under the skin, then such a protrusion can be both felt and seen.

In addition to the anatomical predisposition to the disease in the form of weakness of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, connective tissues or the umbilical ring, the effect of increased intra-abdominal pressure also plays a huge role.

As already mentioned, there are several types of hernias. First, let's look at what affects the appearance of a congenital hernia.

The most common reason in this case is the usual heredity or genetic factor, which consists in the hereditary weakness of the connective tissue of the umbilical ring, that is, if you or your husband had a hernia, then the baby will most likely also make itself felt.
Premature pregnancy - baby born ahead of time, will have a small weight, and its connective tissue is still completely immature, so umbilical hernia very often occurs in children born prematurely, as well as in low-weight infants with a body weight below critical (less than three kilograms).
Also, the cause may be dysplasia or other disorders that cause underdevelopment of children's organs and connective tissues when carrying a child.
A hernia can occur with a non-standard arrangement of internal organs, plus - if the work of the child's abdominal organs is greatly weakened.

The risk factors that affect the subsequent appearance of pathology include the unfavorable course of pregnancy:

if during gestation the mother was ill with inflammatory, somatic or severe infectious diseases;
led an unhealthy lifestyle - ate poorly, drank alcohol, smoked;
been adversely affected chemicals or toxins;
lived in an ecologically unhealthy environment;
took various medications or other medical preparations, undesirable or prohibited for admission during pregnancy;
if the pregnant woman herself suffers from any diseases, defects or pathologies.

All these factors have a strong Negative influence on a child growing in a woman’s stomach, provoking a delay in its development and the risk of all kinds of disorders, including anatomical weakness of the muscles, and undeveloped connective tissue, and improper formation of the structure of the umbilical ring.

However, this is not all, because a hernia can also become acquired, that is, it can occur in a completely strong, full-term and healthy child. Why? Let's see. Here are some reasons that can lead to such a result.

Since the muscles of the umbilical ring in a newborn baby are still weak, even minor factors that can cause an additional decrease in their tone will contribute to the formation and development of a hernia.

These include the most common diseases - rickets and malnutrition. They create very favorable conditions for the development of pathology.

The umbilical ring can close a little slowly, as a result of which, with the accompanying provoking factors, a hernia will also begin to form.
Perhaps the baby did not have a hernia immediately after birth, but if there is an anatomical predisposition, it will definitely make itself felt a little later.
Very often, a hernia appears due to the partial closure of the umbilical ring area by the abdominal fascia, and also because the abdominal fascia is not as dense as it should be.

If, in addition to all this, the muscles of the child's abdominal wall are constantly tense, and intra-abdominal pressure rises due to intestinal colic, increased gas formation, constipation or other disorders of the digestive tract, whooping cough or dysentery, respiratory diseases and nervous system with a syndrome of increased nervous excitability, frequent prolonged crying and crying of a baby, then the umbilical ring will overgrow even more slowly and worse, which provides favorable conditions for the development of a hernia.

In this video, a pediatrician talks about the causes of an umbilical hernia, shares tips on treatment methods.

What to do: basic methods and ways to solve the problem

After the pediatrician examines the baby and feels his tummy, he will be able to determine the size and nature of the problem using the size of the umbilical ring, as well as the localization of the hernia ring and their edges.

If the baby has a small umbilical hernia, which is not accompanied by any additional alarming symptoms and complications, then the doctor will prescribe a number of preventive and therapeutic actions that, in combination, will help remove the risk of progression and enlargement of the hernia, and will also contribute to the complete closure of the umbilical ring and the independent disappearance of the problem.

Let's look at the most common and mandatory recommendations.

Massage

Massage is prescribed for children after the umbilical wound has completely healed - from the third to fourth week of the child's life.

Preventive and therapeutic massage sessions are very beneficial for health and general development baby, however, it is necessary to perform the procedure correctly. That is why for newborns it is recommended to invite a qualified specialist. Then, having learned from him, you will be able to massage the baby yourself.

The procedure is not without reason considered one of the most effective and useful in the complex of measures against hernia or for its prevention. By doing massage, you improve blood circulation in the umbilical ring, and also help to strengthen the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and increase the elasticity of the connective tissue.

In addition, with the help of massage, you will be able to normalize the functioning of the crumbs' intestines, so that you can cope with the problem of bloating, colic and painful discomfort.

But remember that the procedure will give a really tangible positive effect if you carry it out daily.

You can allocate time for massage in the morning, after bathing or before going to bed, so that in total you can do at least two or three procedures per day. The main thing is that massage should not be carried out immediately after feeding:

undress the baby and put him on the bed or changing table;
your hands should be clean and warm (no rings or other jewelry), and movements should be soft, gentle and soothing;
correct the hernia with the finger of one hand, lightly pressing on it so that it “drowns” in the peritoneum;
With the other hand, stroke the baby's tummy, leading in a circle in a clockwise direction;
start moving from the right lower abdomen to the left;
then make counter strokes, already along the course of the large intestine;
perform movements in sync - left hand will go up right side the baby's abdomen, and the right one down the left side;
gradually move on to stroking the oblique abdominal muscles of the crumbs;
at the end, grab the posterolateral surface with brushes chest and move your fingers towards each other - first from top to bottom, and then forward so that the navel hides in the skin fold.

There are other massage techniques, such as the modern "I love you" technique, in which the baby's intestines appear as an inverted English letter U drawn on his tummy.

The procedure is that you, as if writing on the belly of the crumbs, this phrase in capital inverted letters:

first I - from top to bottom on the left side, to expel the baby's gassies and move them down;
then you move the gases and peristalsis further with the help of the letter L;
and then massage the stomach in the form of the letter U to completely remove the accumulated gases from the baby's intestines.

In addition, it is worth doing a separate massage of the umbilical region - this will help you eliminate the weakness of the rectus abdominis muscles of the crumbs:

place to the right and left of the center of the navel large and index fingers;
the distance should not be more than one or two centimeters;
using small point movements, make ten light clicks;
then move up and hold the same presses there;
repeat the same from below the navel;
now change your fingers to index and middle and make circular movements around the navel in a clockwise direction;
at the end, press a little on the protrusion.

Massage should be a pleasant procedure, your kind of ritual of spending time with the baby, during which the child cannot feel bad or uncomfortable, therefore, if the baby cries or worries, it is better to stop the session or reschedule it to a more convenient time for you and the baby.

The author of the video talks about interesting technique massage that helps with umbilical hernia in babies.

Exercise therapy and home gymnastics

Another measure that can also be both therapeutic and preventive, but has a huge benefit for the health and development of the body in any case.

In the presence of an umbilical hernia, the doctor himself must choose or develop for the baby therapeutic gymnastics, consisting of a set of special exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and connective tissue.

It is very important to at least first conduct classes with an instructor in physical therapy or under the supervision and guidance pediatrician in order to avoid all sorts of mistakes and not cause the opposite effect, provoking excessive tension in the anterior abdominal wall and an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.

Before performing any exercises, it is necessary to set the hernia and seal it with a band-aid.

Among the most effective exercises, which are usually used in complexes of physical therapy and gymnastics, it is worth noting: “bicycle”, imitation of walking, raising legs, riding a ball - both on the tummy and on the back, lifting the baby by the handles, mastering coups through the left and right sides, etc. D. Water activities and swimming also help very well.

Bandage

In addition, among conservative methods treatment, you can also find a bandage belt or an umbilical bandage.

This special piece is simply a wide elastic waistband made from soft tissue. Also in its central part there is a seal or hernial limiter. Supporting the umbilical ring and the hernial gate, through which the protrusion of the internal organs from under the skin occurs, the bandage will help fix the abdominal organs in the correct position.

However, it is not worth relying especially on the effect of wearing a bandage, since no therapeutic effect he does not possess. Usually, pediatricians recommend wearing a bandage for babies for preventive purposes, that is, if there is no hernia yet, but there is a threat of its occurrence, for example, during premature pregnancy.

Also, the bandage can be a useful product for very whiny and noisy children and those who suffer from severe colic. By supporting their abdominal wall, the bandage belt will help its proper formation and will not allow the weak umbilical ring to diverge even more.

However, it is worth watching the baby. If he has strong allergic reactions, rash and irritation or diaper rash at the site of wearing a bandage, then this preventive method is not suitable for you.

It should be understood that it is possible to wear a bandage only in combination with other preventive or therapeutic measures, for example, while doing massage and therapeutic exercises for the baby.

Patch

A handy tool that was used by many parents before, when there were no hypoallergenic elastic bandage belts.

A similar method of treatment was to tie a copper coin to the navel of the crumbs or to seal his navel with adhesive tape. Now this method is almost never used, since with such amateur medical activity there were frequent cases of damage to the tender skin infant and development of infection under foreign body or plaster. Also, on your own, you can incorrectly correct the hernia for the baby, and this will only add to the problems.

Now on sale you can find special adhesive bandages for the treatment of hernia. They are produced by many famous brands and trademarks such as Lohmann&Rauscher GmbH (Porofix patch), Hartmann (CosmoporE patch), Chicco, etc.

Having set the hernial protrusion, the doctor will put a bandage on the baby's stomach - from one lumbar region to the other. Usually the course of treatment with such patches is ten days. Ten days later, the bandage is removed and the result is checked. If the hernia still remains, and the umbilical ring has not completely closed, then one or two more courses of treatment are used.

You can also act according to another method, applying the patch exclusively to the umbilical region. In this case, you can bathe the baby without removing the bandage, and if necessary, change it yourself after a couple of days.

In this case, as in the case of a bandage, it is necessary to observe the behavior and reaction of the child. Adhesive bandage can be only part of the complex conservative treatment and be used with other methods.

Laying out on the tummy

After complete healing of the umbilical wound, each baby is recommended to be laid out on the tummy:

it helps to develop and strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and the anterior abdominal wall;
improves intestinal motility;
relieves the baby of excess gases, relieves bloating and colic;
reduces pain and discomfort.

Tummy time can be done before each feed, or at least three to four times a day if you plan to keep your baby in this position for fifteen to twenty minutes.

If the laying out sessions are short - two or three minutes each, then you should try to find time and opportunity for more frequent procedures.

The main condition is a hard and even surface, but at the same time it should not be cold so that the baby does not catch a cold. Put the baby on the tummy, and place some interesting objects or bright toys in front of it. Try to interest the child - he should reach for toys, making active movements with his limbs and torso, and raise his head.

In the process, intra-abdominal pressure will decrease, the protrusion of the hernia will decrease, and gases will also begin to leave faster. In addition, laying out on the tummy is a great component. physical development and the necessary activity of the baby.

Be sure to remember that even if the baby still does not know how to roll over or crawl, he still cannot be left alone unattended for even a minute. Follow basic safety precautions to avoid injury and accidents.

Surgical intervention

In the absence of any results of treatment and a constant increase in the hernia after the age of three, and in some countries - five years of age, the child is recommended surgery to remove the hernia.

At an earlier age, surgical intervention is possible only in case of serious complications, such as infringement, inflammation or rupture of the hernia, as well as in case of danger to the life of the child.

For girls, the issue of surgery is more acute, since they may have more frequent cases of infringement. This becomes a particularly serious complication during pregnancy.

It is recommended to carry out the operation in preschool age to prevent a hernia from developing large sizes and stop the risk of complications that cause displacement of internal organs and disruption of their functions. also in childhood there is also good tissue elasticity, so both the operation and recovery will be easier and faster.

Among the main indications for surgical intervention can be called:

discomfort and discomfort that the hernia delivers to the child;
self-healing does not occur after a set of measures of conservative treatment;
a hernia appeared some time after birth, and by the age of one or two years it began to increase in size;
the size of the hernia is more than one and a half to two centimeters and it continues to become even larger;
the hernia has a proboscis shape;
with symptoms of complications.

Surgery to remove a hernia is considered uncomplicated and is usually performed under general anesthesia. Elimination occurs without obvious cosmetic defects and, as a rule, without relapses. You can also choose the laparoscopic method of the operation - then it will take only fifteen minutes and will not require the removal of sutures.

Conspiracies and other methods of alternative traditional medicine

Some parents do not trust qualified doctors and medical workers, but prefer to turn to various folk fortune-tellers - grandmothers who can whisper something over a baby or read magical conspiracy so that the hernia resolves by itself.

Of course, the choice is yours, but try to use common sense when making a decision and not trust the health and safety of your child to people with no special medical education.

Perhaps this healer or fortune teller helped someone, but all children are different, and you may have a completely different case, requiring, for example, emergency intervention doctors, so it's best to consult with your doctor.

Other preventive measures

Of course you can't control hereditary factor, but you can do something to prevent the occurrence of an umbilical hernia in your baby.

First of all, this concerns the bearing of pregnancy and preparation for it, that is, compliance with the most basic rules of nutrition, daily routine, maintaining healthy lifestyle life, etc.
After the birth of the crumbs, try to bathe him regularly, do gymnastics with him, put him on his tummy, and massage him.
Watch your own diet if you are breastfeeding your baby - exclude all foods that cause increased gas formation and bloating, such as legumes, cabbage, smoked meats, canned food, muffins or sweets.

You should also avoid junk food and allergenic foods. Instead, eat whole grain cereals, bran, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean white meats, and fish.

If the baby is bottle-fed, then choose a formula for nutrition together with the pediatrician so that the baby does not have allergies, colic, bloating or constipation.
Ask the doctor to prescribe the child special preparations, which reduce gas formation and help with colic, like "Espumizan", "Plantex" or dill water, "Bebikalm".
If the crumbs have severe constipation, you can give him a small enema with herbal decoction, use a vent tube or glycerin suppositories.
Perhaps the child has a lactase deficiency, that is, lactose intolerance. Then you definitely need to consult a doctor to avoid fermentation in the intestines, bloating and constipation.
Often provokes a hernia and dysbacteriosis, so you should take care of the healthy microflora of the baby's intestines.
Make sure that the child does not increase intra-abdominal pressure - do not let him scream and cry a lot, treat in a timely manner colds, avoiding complications in the form of obstructive bronchitis or pneumonia.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that an umbilical hernia is the most common surgical pathology in newborns, its appearance in your baby is absolutely not a problem or tragedy, since it almost never poses a threat to his health and life. With timely treatment to the doctor and adequate complex treatment the hernia usually resolves on its own. Let your baby grow healthy!

Firefly_80

13-01-2009, 17:26

Tell me, please ... My daughter is 1 month old. Went to the pediatrician today. She told us that we have a wide umbilical ring, the navel does not retract well, and we urgently need to do a massage, otherwise there will be a hernia. And immediately gave the masseuse's phone - says "agree...". So I have my doubts. Is it possible at this age to retract the navel with the help of massage. It seems to me that such little ones can only be lightly stroked ... And do you think it is necessary to call a masseuse specifically recommended by a pediatrist or should you use the services of masseuses recommended on the LP? I don't really trust the pediatrician at the clinic...

13-01-2009, 17:34

I wouldn't...

13-01-2009, 17:36

If you don't trust, then don't. You can consult with another doctor. I am also always suspicious when they start promoting their people or medicines. You can ask the massage therapist directly if this is the case. We did a massage for a month. This is a very delicate matter. The doctor stroked for a long time, slightly kneaded the whole child, only a few days later he proceeded directly to the massage.

13-01-2009, 17:37

we had a very wide ring - the navel retracted remarkably, they did not massage.

13-01-2009, 17:38

The massage really helps. The choice of a particular masseuse is up to you.

13-01-2009, 17:41

We had an enlarged umbilical ring. Massage helped us, but we did it at 2 months.

13-01-2009, 17:48

13-01-2009, 17:51

Try to spread it on your stomach more often. :)
yes, exactly, they told me so in the RD, which I did :)

13-01-2009, 17:54

I wouldn't...
... we also have a wide umbilical ring ... and the navel will most likely not be pulled in ... there is nothing wrong with that ... many people have such navels)) ...
... at the expense of a hernia, I don’t think it’s so dangerous ... IMHO ...
The elimination of a hernia is facilitated by the strengthening of the abdominal wall. This is of course a massage, laying children on the tummy, gymnastics. Surgery(operation) begins no earlier than 5 years of age. Properly and accurately performed operation allows to eliminate the hernia with a good cosmetic effect. As a rule, there are no relapses.
If the hernia "does not go away" before the age of 5, then the children are operated on, I received this information from the surgeon of the 1st Children's Hospital.

13-01-2009, 17:57

we had a wide umbilical ring and a hernia was already beginning.
We did a massage just a month, a course. And then I did the exercises myself, which the masseuse showed me. And the navel is perfectly retracted. Why wait for a hernia? If you don't trust the masseuse recommended by your pediatrician, find another one.

13-01-2009, 18:01

we also had a weak umbilical ring, massage helped and it was an exercise aimed at strengthening the abdominal wall, and not just a classic massage.

Firefly_80

13-01-2009, 18:17

13-01-2009, 18:22

Firefly_80

13-01-2009, 18:30

Prepare for more than one course in the first year.
I heard about gluing with a band-aid, but this should be done by a specialist, they are sealed for weeks intermittently, it seems so. If you were given recommendations, then you are aware of this procedure.

That's the thing, you don't know. When the patronage nurse came, she said: "Buy it and seal it. And put a pebble from the sea or a coin under it." But I hoped that by the month it would be drawn in ... The older one had a much larger navel and it was wonderfully drawn in ...

And I was going to do several massage courses anyway, I just doubted the effectiveness at such an early age. I thought I would start at 3-4 months. But apparently it will have to right now!

13-01-2009, 19:49

Thanks for answers! So massage can help! Will do...
They also recommended an umbilical patch. It is necessary to push the navel inside and seal it with a special plaster. Has anyone tried it?
We used such a patch at your age for a month. There was also a weak umbilical ring - now there are no problems. And without any massage! :):support::support:
The patch itself is very easy to use - it consists of two parts that are inserted into one another and tightened. It is better if the first time the doctor shows how to use. But if this is not possible - there is an excellent instruction attached to the patch - you can't go wrong! ;)

13-01-2009, 19:50

When the patronage nurse came, she said: "Buy it and seal it. And put a pebble from the sea or a coin under it."

An umbilical hernia in young children is a protrusion of internal organs or tissues through the abdominal wall through an opening in the navel, the so-called "umbilical ring".

An umbilical hernia in young children is a protrusion of internal organs or tissues through the abdominal wall through an opening in the navel, the so-called "umbilical ring". It looks like a swelling or expansion of the umbilical ring. Especially this phenomenon becomes noticeable when the baby screams or cries. At rest, the hernia goes into the abdominal cavity.

How common is this disease?

Hernia occurs in 20 percent of newborns. Especially often in boys. In case of prematurity, this phenomenon is observed even more often, in 35 percent of babies.

As a rule, a hernia is detected already in the first month of life. In most children, the umbilical hernia disappears by six months, and in the rest by about 5 years, while the umbilical ring gradually decreases and closes.

There are times when a hernia does not go away even by the age of five. Then the doctors, in order to avoid further complications, suggest that the parents perform an operation on the child.

In the elimination of umbilical hernia effective means are massage and gymnastics. You should be familiarized with their methods by a pediatrician.

Causes of congenital umbilical hernia in children

Most often, babies are already born with an umbilical hernia. The reasons for it may be:

Features of the placement of the internal organs of newborns;
Weakness of the ligamentous apparatus and abdominal wall.

This pathology is most often caused by adverse factors pregnancy or heredity.

If during pregnancy a woman suffers from infectious diseases, then under the influence harmful substances caught in her body, there may be a delay in the development of the fetus.

A child in such cases is often born with underdeveloped connective tissue, weakened muscles and ligaments. This is what is main reason hernia in premature babies.

Causes of Acquired Hernia in Babies

Rickets, malnutrition - these diseases weaken muscle tone;
Frequent constipation - the child is straining, while there is intestinal pressure on the umbilical ring;
Increased gas formation.

Symptoms of umbilical hernia in children 1-2 months of age

Expansion of the umbilical ring;
Protrusion of the internal organs, which is almost imperceptible in calm state in the supine position and increases significantly when the baby either cries, or pushes, or is simply in an upright position.

Prevention

From the first day, try not to let your baby cry for a long time, fight intestinal colic And increased gas formation Keep your baby's stool regular.

From about 3 weeks, when the umbilical cord heals, you can start doing simple exercises that will strengthen the walls of the tummy:

Holding the baby by the leg and by the handle, help him roll over on his side, on the right and on the left, in turn;
"Ride" the baby on a large inflatable ball. Supporting it in the chest area, swing the ball in different directions.
Take the child lying on the back by the handles (let him grab your thumbs, support his brushes with the other four). Straighten the child's arms, spread them apart and slightly pull the baby towards you, thereby encouraging him to raise his head and upper part body.

If you notice the first signs of an umbilical hernia, contact your doctor immediately.

Methods for the treatment of umbilical hernia in children

The most effective method of treatment is the frequent laying out of the child on the tummy - 2-3 times a day before feeding for 10-15 minutes. The surface on which you put the baby should be solid, and his mood during such a procedure should be only positive. The baby should actively move, move his legs and arms, in no case should cry, and at this time you give him a light massage of the back, the whole body, stroke, talk to the little one.
Massage and gymnastics are excellent means of getting rid of this ailment. A specialist should familiarize you with the methods of such treatment.

The set of exercises that you will perform on the recommendation of a specialist can be supplemented with the following simple steps.

Place your thumb and forefinger to the right and left of the child's navel at a distance of 2-3 cm and make 10 gentle rhythmic pressures, pointing your fingers towards each other. The child should not experience pain or inconvenience.

Then, in the same way, place your fingers above and below the navel. And again, do 10 clicks. Then close your fingers and circle clockwise around the navel 10 times. These exercises should be repeated before each feeding, after laying out on the tummy. They will strengthen ligamentous apparatus and muscles of the newborn.

Putting on a Band-Aid

Another method of treatment is to apply a bandage from an adhesive plaster to the navel area. Now in pharmacies you can buy special patches for the treatment of hernias in infants. This bandage should be done by a doctor. It is superimposed in a wide strip, connecting the rectus abdominis muscles in the form of two folds above the umbilical ring. The bandage is applied for 10 days. If during this time the umbilical ring is not closed, the procedure is repeated.

P umbilical hernia is a fairly common pathology in modern children. Such a hernia is formed as a result of a defect in the development of the anterior abdominal wall, which is due to the anatomical features of this area. An umbilical hernia is manifested by a protrusion of a round or oval shape of different sizes. In a calm state and in the supine position, the hernial protrusion is easily reduced into the abdominal cavity, and in its place the umbilical ring is well palpable.

A large umbilical hernia in a newborn may be frightening for parents, who believe that the hernia causes pain to the child, and also causes upset stools, poor appetite, but in fact, the sensations of the child depend on the shape of the hernia, and not on its size. With a wide umbilical ring, a hernial protrusion appears at the slightest concern of the child and disappears just as quickly and easily when the child calms down. in this case, the contents of the hernia are not injured and do not cause pain. But with a small opening of the umbilical ring, with dense edges and a strong protrusion of the hernia, there is every reason to assume pain in the child, causing him concern. An umbilical hernia in children comes in different sizes. Often, only fatty tissue protrudes, which is usually painless. In cases where the child experiences pain, the membrane covering the internal organs, the peritoneum, is involved in the hernial sac.Of course, for the timely detection and treatment of umbilical hernias of all types, the child should be regularly examined by a surgeon.

How to treat an umbilical hernia in children?

Treatment of an umbilical hernia depends on its shape and the age of the child. In the vast majority of cases, it goes away by itself by 3-5 years. But at an older age, the umbilical ring does not close on its own and, accordingly, the hernia cannot disappear. In this case, the child undergoes an operation - plastic closure of the umbilical ring in a surgical hospital under general anesthesia.

But as long as the doctor does not insist on an operation to remove the umbilical hernia, the hernia can be treated conservatively at home, this is quite within the power of the parents. Self-closing of the umbilical ring is well promoted by massage for umbilical hernia and gymnastics, aimed at developing and strengthening the abdominal press. It is necessary to start such treatment already from the age of one month, laying the children on their stomach for 3-5 minutes up to 10 times a day. Next, lay the baby on the tummy less often, but for a longer time. In this position, children strain their back muscles, trying to raise their heads, make movements with their arms and legs, which helps to strengthen the overall tone and develop muscles, including the abdominals.

The following exercise develops the abdominal muscles well: for a child lying on his back, the legs are simultaneously bent at the knees, moved to the stomach, and then straightened, causing active resistance.

Removal of an umbilical hernia in a baby

If a doctor has diagnosed a hernia in your child, then you should remember that sometimes it can be infringed. This is very dangerous complication! When an umbilical hernia is infringed, part of the intestine bends and gets stuck in the umbilical ring, and blood vessels that feed the intestine are squeezed. there is a danger of bleeding and obstruction of this part of the intestine, which can cause vomiting and abdominal cramps. The infant becomes very restless and the hernia becomes hard and very painful. In this case, urgent surgery to remove an umbilical hernia.

MASSOTHERAPY

To prevent hernia and eliminate small hernias, you can use the following massage:

■ It is easy to massage the baby's tummy with circular movements of the palm in a clockwise direction.

■ Apply your thumb to the navel and carry out vibrating movements, as if pressing a bell.

■ Cover the navel area with your palm and, pressing lightly, turn your palm clockwise.

■ Place the palms on both sides of the navel and begin to move the left palm down first, and the right palm up, then change the direction of movement of the hands.

■ Press with two fingers folded together in a circle from the umbilical ring.