Congenital Abdominal Wall Defect: Common Types and Treatment Considerations

Question

「Will an umbilical hernia get bigger?」

Answer

「Most infants with congenital abdominal wall defects require immediate surgery after birth to prevent survival difficulties due to regional skin ulcers, necrosis, and infection. In a few cases, the defect is gradually fibrosed and scarred by the peritoneal membrane, protecting the protruding organs and preventing early death. The mortality rate of this disease is closely related to the treatment time, so surgery should be performed as soon as possible when conditions permit. An umbilical hernia is a common type of congenital abdominal wall malformation, where the abdominal wall fails to develop around the umbilicus, causing internal organs to protrude. It is a neonatal malformation. This condition is associated with chromosomal abnormalities, so infants with umbilical hernias may have other organ malformations. Improper treatment can lead to a high mortality rate.」