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What Causes Swollen Naval In An Infant?

Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014

Question: My baby boy is about 2 months old. He is by God grace is having fine health. But recently his naval become swollen when he cries a lot, which partially disappeare when he become relax... I suspect it is Inguinal hernia. I consulted with my paediatrician who is of openion that with growing muscle it disappeares. I am also attaching the photos of the same which clicked at the relax moment. Kindly advise the needful earliest.

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
mostly will settle by one year

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
The photos look like umbilical hernia.
This is very common in babies and is.because of lax abdominal muscles in that naval region.
But don'tworry.
Usually as baby grows bigger and by one year of age it reduces and may disappear .
No active treatment is required for the moment
There is no need to apply pressure or clothes to compress.
The hernia will settle on it's own.
If not settling by one year surgery may be needed.

One important note :
sometimes there can be intestine or fat in the hernia which can get twisted or obstructed. This may result in pain, vomiting, swelling which becomes fixed and not reducing . This is a.warning sign to consult your doctor immediately.

Wishing good.health.
Dr.Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Arun (7 hours later)

Hi Dr. Thanks. But can't i do anything at this stage to supress this swelling? Cos 1 year is long time to wait just to understand wherether it will disappeare autometically or not. When u say vomiting what exactly it is? As he split some milk occasionaly after feeding.. He doesn't response in pain when i press it... But swelling is ofcourse there whenever he cries a lot.
For another I want your advise as he ceies a lot in nighttime eventhough we feel his stomach is full..but he is not fon of sleeping especially in night. Is it normal or might he feels any pain at night cos of it he cries? He doesn't cry continously though... There is some pause as well.. Pls advice both these concern. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Arun (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
surgery not required now, no urgency

Detailed Answer:
1. Surgery is not required now. In 95 % babies, the hernia settles by one year. So there is no urgent medical need to do surgery now. You can safely wait .
2. By vomiting I meant that uncontrolled vomiting , along with non reducible swelling ( if it doesn't decrease when you press it ), needs urgent medical attention.
3. Crying in the night could be colic pain. Try burping after each feed. I also prescribe colicaid drops 0.3 ml thrice a day for 3 days to decrease colic pain for suchbabies in my clinic
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Arun (12 hours later)

Thanks doc for your valuable suggestions. Another concern of mine which i thought i should address is that my baby's stool passing is not regular. He passes his stool after 2-3-4 days interval. And stool also feel stiff...indication constipation type. Pls suggest how can pass stool everyday..and stool should be in normal flow. Is it ok as he passes it after these many days?? Pls suggest remedies

Answered by Dr. Arun (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Infants at 2 to 4 months pass stools only once in few days.
It is absolutely normal.
No medicine is required.
As he grows , stools will become softer and will pass daily.
Continue breast feeding.
One tip : Mother should drink plenty of milk and liquids . This will ensure proper milk output and normal stools in baby.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T