Question
A 50-day-old baby has a bulging navel and makes a water sound when pressed. What’s going on? How should it be treated? Do I need to have surgery?
Answer
Hello, there’s no need to worry. As you’ve described, it could be a umbilical hernia. Typically, to avoid the child from crying, a coin can be used to compress the area. Generally, as the child grows older, it will gradually heal. In this situation, it’s best to consult pediatric surgery for an examination, palpation, and abdominal ultrasound to assess the developmental condition. If there is an umbilical hernia, mild cases can continue to be observed while avoiding excessive crying, while severe cases may require hernia repair surgery.