Umbilical Hernia

​The most noticeable symptom of an umbilical hernia is a bulge at your child’s belly button. This bulge becomes harder and larger when a baby cries, coughs or strains, as increasing abdominal pressure forces out the contents of the hernia. When the baby is relaxed, the hernia becomes soft again and may return back inside. 

Generally, umbilical hernia is not accompanied by any pain, though it may become painful if the intestines get trapped within the umbilical hernia, a more serious condition known as an incarcerated hernia. ​​

Since it can be disturbing for parents to see a prominent bulge at their baby’s belly button, you must consult a paediatrician to discuss your concerns if you suspect your child has umbilical hernia. 

​In case the umbilical hernia appears discoloured with your baby being evidently in pain, or it is tender to touch or your baby vomits, you must seek immediate medical attention as these could be signs of an incarcerated umbilical hernia.

At The Aga Khan University Hospital the only internationally accredited hospital of Pakistan; our team of paediatricians are highly trained highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric disorders, including umbilical hernia. Consult a paediatrician working at the Children’s Hospital Service Line of The Aga Khan University Hospital to gain professional medical advice, discuss your child’s symptoms and receive personalized treatment and care.​

Your child’s doctor will first ask questions about any other symptom, such as pain, that you may have observed in your child. Thereby a detailed physical examination by a paediatrician will help make a diagnosis of umbilical hernia.

In some cases, a CT (Computerized Tomography) scan or abdominal ultrasound may be requested to check for the possibility of any complications associated with umbilical hernia.​

In most cases, umbilical hernia closes themselves by the time a child is two or three years of age. That’s why surgery is not recommended immediately and a wait-and-see approach is prescribed to parents of children with umbilical hernia. 

However, surgery may be recommended to treat umbilical hernia if:

• The hernia doesn’t go back into the abdomen by two or three years of age
  

• The hernia is very large (if it’s more than half an inch in diameter)
  

• The hernia is painful
  

• The child has incarcerated umbilical hernia with trapped intestines
  

Surgery helps to place the protruding abdominal lining or intestine back in place and close the abdominal muscle opening to prevent a recurrence of the hernia. 

As with all surgical procedures, talk with your doctor at The Aga Khan University Hospital about the possible risks and complications of surgery before you try it.​

​The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments’ costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​