• Knowledgebase: Newborn Questions: General

    Questions about the care of newborns, rashes, stooling.

    14. My baby has a bulging belly button (umbilical hernia) - Top

    You are probably describing an umbilical hernia. This is common in premature and black infants. The umbilical Cord goes from the placenta through the baby's abdominal wall to the baby's blood supply. After birth, the umbilical cord dries and falls off and the internal section retracts and essentially goes away. The hole in the abdominal muscles through which it passes generally closes up and there is no longer an opening. When an umbilical hernia is present, the muscular hole does close over. Anytime there is abdominal pressure (crying, straining), a bulge will form through this muscular opening and this is the umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernias , unlike other hernias, are not painful and not dangerous. 98-99% Of the muscular openings will close over by themselves by age 5 years and leave no disfigurement. They do not need to be covered and generally surgery is reserved for those that do not close spontaneously. If you ar-L- uncertain about a child's bulging, please check with your physician on your next visit.

    - Updated: March 22, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP