Emergency Medicine

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Title: Umbilical Hernias

Category: Pediatrics

Posted: 7/8/2011 by Rose Chasm, MD

  • occurs when the small opening in the abdominal muscles which allows passage of umbilical cord does not completley close after birth
  • allowing intestinal loops to pass through the opening
  • 10% of all children are affected
  • more common in blacks, girls, and premature infants
  • most resolve by age 1year, but consider outpatient referral if becoming larger or still present after 2-3 years of age
  • emergent consultation if not reducible, but rarely as most are harmless