Umbilical hernia of the fetus is a consequence of abnormal fetal development and can be diagnosed as early as around the 20th week of pregnancy. It should not be confused with the umbilical hernia in the fetus, which is a much more serious condition. Check what are the causes and symptoms of an umbilical hernia in the fetus. How is this type of hernia treated?

Umbilical hernia of the fetusis a small and harmless congenital anatomical defect. The disease is a consequence of abdominal development disorders in prenatal life, namely the non-closure of the umbilical ring.

Umbilical hernia of the fetus most often occurs in premature babies and newborns with low birth weight.

Umbilical hernia of the fetus: causes

In early pregnancy, the intestines develop outside the baby's abdominal cavity, as it does not form until the 3rd-4th. month of pregnancy. Only at the turn of the first and second trimester, the intestines retreat into the created cavity through a thin membrane - the umbilical ring. If the ring does not close properly or is not properly constructed, it will develop an umbilical hernia in the fetus. Then the organs that should normally be in the abdominal cavity go to the hernial sac.

Umbilical hernia of the fetus: symptoms

After the baby is born, a lump of various sizes is visible, covered with he althy or slightly thinned skin with visible blood vessels. Usually it protrudes in the navel when crying or coughing.

Umbilical hernia of the fetus: diagnosis

Umbilical hernia of the fetuscan be diagnosed already in the second trimester of pregnancy (around the 20th week) by means of an ultrasound examination. It is a non-invasive prenatal test used, inter alia, in to determine the number and type of abdominal organs.

Umbilical hernia of the fetus: treatment

Umbilical hernia in the fetus is described by doctors as a cosmetic defect, not a disease. It can be of various sizes - from small, barely perceptible to even a few centimeters. If the hernia is small (up to 1 cm), there is a good chance that it will heal by itself. This happens within a year, sometimes 2 years, after the baby is born. During this time, it is recommended to put the baby on its stomach as often as possible. Then they staystrengthened abdominal muscles, which facilitates faster absorption of the hernia.

Some doctors may use conservative treatment by sticking special plasters to the cracks. However, this method of treatment has many opponents, because it rarely brings the desired effects, and in addition, unskilful sticking plaster can lead to maceration of the epidermis. Therefore, it is used very rarely.

Surgical intervention should be performed when the hernia is 2-2.5 cm. With a large hernia, it may become trapped and, consequently, the child may die. However, as doctors emphasize, these are very rare situations.

Umbilical hernia and umbilical hernia in the fetus

Umbilical hernia develops from the 3rd to the 10th week of pregnancy. Then the viscera partially moves beyond the abdominal cavity through the wide gates of the umbilical ring and becomes covered with the amniotic sac. The umbilical cord emerges at the top or side of the bag.

Umbilical hernia, unlike umbilical hernia, is usually caused by a genetic disorder. According to studies by American doctors, more than half of all children born with umbilical hernia struggle with other birth defects that affect the brain, spine or heart. They are also gastrointestinal and genitourinary disorders. Other conditions diagnosed together with umbilical hernia include chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 18 or genetically determined congenital syndromes such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

Scientific research conducted by American scientists also shows that umbilical hernia appears more often in a fetus with small lungs.

Then the prognosis for the fetus with umbilical hernia largely depends on the size of the hernia and the presence or absence of other birth defects.

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Child's he alth