Question
What causes infant umbilical hernia?
Answer
Umbilical hernia is a congenital defect in the development of the abdominal wall, characterized by a full-thickness defect in the area near the navel, with internal organs protruding through the defect. It is a rare malformation. The incidence rate varies among different statistics, but it often occurs in low-birth-weight infants. The condition can be detected soon after birth when the intestines protrude through the abdominal wall defect near the navel, with the mesentery being loose. The intestines may become congested, swollen, thickened, and covered with fibrous exudates, leading to adhesions between the intestines. Whether to continue pregnancy if a fetus has an umbilical hernia is a decision that needs to be made independently. If the decision is to give birth, surgery is required immediately postpartum.