Question
A newborn boy has been diagnosed with umbilical hernia. How can one ensure comprehensive treatment for the condition? How should a parent care for the baby’s navel in daily life to promote the recovery of the umbilical hernia? Does a newborn with an umbilical hernia require special rest?
Answer
The occurrence of newborn umbilical hernia is often due to insufficient sterilization of the umbilical cord at birth, leading to infection, or the umbilical cord stump being contaminated. In hot weather, parents often bathe their children, and the umbilical cord can easily get wet. If it is not dried immediately or if sterilization is not thorough, wrapping it with a cloth can keep the umbilical cord in a moist environment, which is highly prone to infection. Therefore, maintaining dryness in the area is crucial. In necessary cases, anti-inflammatory medication should be used for treatment.