Belly Button Hernia is also referred as umbilical hernia. It is most commonly found in infants but overweight people and adults can also be affected by it. Adult pregnant women may suffer from belly button hernia. Hernia mostly affects the abdominal region of the body and it is the abnormal growth of a particular part of the body. Belly Button Hernia is an outward fit to bust (protrusion) of the abdominal lining or the abdominal region of the body which takes place under the skin at umbilicus (belly button).

Belly Button Hernia mostly takes place in the weaker part of the skin in the abdominal wall and this complexity is also recognized as ‘exomphalos’. Excessive pressure on the abdomen is one of the causes of the Belly Button Hernia. A small opening is left in the abdominal wall when the cutting of umbilical cord is carried out after birth. An umbilical hernia takes place when the muscles are failed to close around this opening. After separation of the cord, the opening is generally noticed within a few weeks.

Causes of Belly Button Hernia:

Different causes are responsible for Belly Button Hernia in adults and infants.

Causes in infants:

When the muscle through which blood vessels pass to feed the developing fetus does not close completely, an umbilical hernia takes place in infants. If the size of hernia is small, then it may be gradually closed by the age of two. However, large hernias will not get closed normally and so surgery is required for removal.

Causes in Adults:

In adults, a lot of abdominal pressure may lead to umbilical hernia. For the occurrence of belly button hernia in adults, excessive stress, lack of adequate sleep, lack of a balanced diet and proper exercises are the basic reasons. The main causes of Belly Button Hernia in adults are as follows,

• Heavy weight lifting
• Heavy work load during delivery period
• Secretion of fluid in the abdomen
• Due to multiple pregnancies
• Tumor in abdominal cavity
• Obesity

Umbilical hernias can also be associated with rare conditions such as mucopolysaccharide storage diseases, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and Down syndrome.

Symptoms of Belly Button Hernia:

Symptoms of Belly Button Hernia may vary from one person to another. Bulging or protruding of the skin at the umbilicus or navel region is the most common symptom. The bulge can vary in width from less than 1 centimeter to more than 5 centimeters and it may pain sometimes. Enlargement of bulge may occur during sneezing, coughing, lifting weights, etc. when the baby sits up, cries, or strains, there is a soft swelling over the belly button. When the infant lies on the back the bulge may be flat. Usually, the layer over the hernia is red, yellow or blue in color.

When it is not treated properly, following conditions may take place:

• The hernia is compressed and the blood supply is stopped to that part of intestine which leads to constipation and gangrene (the particular part of intestine dies).
• The hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdominal cavity and left confined. This leads to severe pain and nausea.

Treatment for the Belly Button Hernia:

By physical examination or sometimes by x-ray or ultrasound, it can be diagnosed. In case of infants, if it is not severe, then the doctor may even shove the intestine inside the abdominal cavity. However, surgery is the only option in severe cases. Surgical repair of umbilical hernias is kept for three groups:

1. Patients whose hernias have become stuck out (incarcerated)
2. Patients with large, protruding hernias
3. Patients with hernias that are not closing

Before surgery, depending upon the enlargement local or general anesthesia is given to the patient. Then by carrying out a small incision the umbilicus and the tissues are pushed into the abdomen. The surgeon will use strong stitches or place a mesh piece for fast healing of the deep cut after the removal of hernia. A mesh is a synthetic patch which is used to close the incision during the surgery and it is placed only when the surgery is large. To avoid the recurring of hernia, it is permanently placed.

After surgery, heavy exercises and bulk clothing should be avoided. It is necessary to give a sponge bathing to children only till the stitches fall off. If the child suffers from high temperature, swelling, bleeding or unable urinate after surgery, then consult the doctor.

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