Question
My newborn has been diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. How should I handle it? What measures should be taken?
Answer
In most cases, neonatal umbilical hernias will naturally disappear with normal development, with only a few cases requiring surgical treatment. Therefore, parents should not be overly concerned and should first observe the changes in the hernia. If the newborn shows jaundice of the skin, assess the degree of jaundice: mild jaundice if only the face is yellowed; moderate jaundice if the trunk skin is also yellowed; if the extremities and palms of the hands and feet are also yellowed, then a series of bilirubin and liver function tests should be conducted. If necessary, arrange for the newborn to be hospitalized for treatment.