Is it possible to cure an umbilical hernia in a newborn without surgery

An umbilical hernia in newborns is one of the most common congenital pathologies that require surgical treatment. Despite the need for an operation, many parents attempt to reduce the protrusion with folk remedies and various conservative methods such as a bandage, compresses, and a coin. Non-surgical elimination of the disease in an infant is possible, but self-reduction of a hernia in a one-month-old child is extremely rare .

Treatment of umbilical hernia in infants is carried out in a complex manner, but parents should always be prepared for the need for surgery. This disease in itself is not dangerous. An umbilical hernia in newborns is a protrusion of the abdominal organs through a weakened umbilical ring without disturbing their function.

Complications appear already as a result of the influence of external and internal factors that lead to an increase in pressure inside the peritoneum. If they are excluded, it is possible to reduce the hernia in newborn boys and girls without surgery.

The importance of surgical treatment is to strengthen the umbilical ring, which will prevent the release of organs in the future. If the hernia repair is not performed, the formation in the navel can return at any period of life.

How to treat a hernia in babies

Treatment of umbilical hernia in newborns and in infants up to six months is carried out conservatively. The operation is planned in the period from 6 to 12 months, this is the most optimal time when the baby will normally undergo surgery.

When an umbilical hernia in infants proceeds without complications, it is possible to reduce it without the need for removal. This is achieved through the observance of a special regimen, which includes wearing a bandage, breastfeeding on demand, the use of various folk methods, massage and gymnastics.

After cutting the umbilical cord, it is important to prevent inflammation of the skin for normal tissue scarring. Violation of this process can become a factor in the appearance of an ailment, but this is far from the main cause of pathology. In order to influence it directly, it is necessary from the birth of a child to monitor his activity, create conditions for normal development and growth.

Physiotherapy exercises with a child, swimming, exclusion of strong screaming and crying are important measures of conservative therapy. To understand how to cure a hernia of the umbilical ring without a scalpel, parents need to consult several specialists. Useful recommendations and appointments can be given by a pediatrician, pediatric surgeon, gastroenterologist, nutritionist, physiotherapist.

After listening to several specialists, it will be possible to decide how to treat an umbilical hernia in a newborn, and how urgently the operation is needed.

About general recommendations on how to get rid of an umbilical hernia in an infant:

  1. And use an umbilical bandage . You can choose a belt that is comfortable for the child, which will hold the organs in the abdominal cavity, preventing them from being pinched. The bandage for children is chosen by the doctor, because it is important that he does not squeeze the stomach, but at the same time fixes the navel well. Such a device can be worn immediately after the navel has healed. The duration of wearing is also determined by the attending physician, which will depend on the activity of the baby, feeding time and the size of the defect. Homemade belts should not be used in any case, they will be not only useless, but also dangerous.
  2. Do a belly massage . Light stroking movements and rubbing of the skin will promote blood flow, which will prevent ischemia, which entails congestion and inflammation. Massage can be performed at home by watching the video instructions, or as a doctor does it. The procedure is recommended to be repeated daily, but only when the child feels well.
  3. To do therapeutic exercises. Exercises can be performed with the child on a changing table, a hard mattress and a fitball. The complex consists of simple movements: turning the baby from the back to the tummy, raising the legs to the stomach, “scissors”. With a hernia of the umbilical ring, there are contraindications, so it is important to check with your doctor for all exercises.
  4. P apply safe and proven folk methods. It can be compresses from cabbage leaves, oatmeal, a mixture of medicinal plants. You need to apply them for no more than 1-2 hours, then wipe the tummy dry and put on an umbilical bandage or fix the hernia with a band-aid. The latter will be an alternative to the belt, but it has more disadvantages. The medical plaster does not exclude the careless movement of the baby, which can lead to the bulging of the defect.

For babies, treatment with a “position”, that is, laying on the stomach, will be useful. This contributes to the normal discharge of gases, stimulates the independent movement of the child, reduces pressure inside the abdominal cavity.

When is surgery needed?

It is possible to get rid of a hernia for a long time by conservative methods, but without a result, and this will be an indication for an operation. Folk remedies, gymnastics, diet, bandage are not canceled, because they help to get rid of symptoms that are unpleasant for the child. These measures are also shown in the first weeks after the operation.

Surgery is considered for the following indications:

  • irreducible hernia - the navel ceases to be reduced at rest and with pressure, there is no cough impulse;
  • infringement of the contents - the formation gradually increases, the organs in the hernial sac are compressed, ischemia, necrosis and inflammation occur, and this condition can lead to an irreversible loss of bowel function, then it will have to be partially removed;
  • peritonitis is more often a consequence of damage to the intestinal loop, when its contents enter the abdominal cavity, inflammation occurs, poisoning of the body with decay products, a dangerous condition, there is a risk of death;
  • intestinal obstruction - rarely happens in children, a complication occurs due to stagnation of feces in the intestinal loop located in the hernial sac.

The defect can be completely removed by hernioplasty.

The operation involves excision of the hernial sac with the return of the organs to the abdominal cavity. During the intervention, the hernia gate is strengthened with the child's own tissues or an artificial implant, a special mesh that grows into the tissue, preventing the organs from exiting through a muscle defect or the umbilical ring.

If tension hernioplasty is performed without a prosthesis, there remains a risk of recurrence of the disease, which will be associated with tissue divergence due to increased intra-abdominal pressure or injury. But even after installing the mesh, problems may arise, including migration, then the surgeon removes it and repeats the operation, but with a more suitable endoprosthesis.

Folk methods

Alternative medicine for the treatment of umbilical hernia offers to make various compresses, ointments, applications, baths. They will help prevent skin irritation from the application of the patch, and some recipes stop the development of a hernia, which will already be the prevention of complications.

How to treat an umbilical hernia in infants with folk remedies:

  1. Infusion of loosestrife loosestrife . The roots of the plant are crushed, in the amount of two spoons they are poured with two glasses of water. The product is infused for 5 hours, after which you can make a compress from it, applying it for 1-2 hours.
  2. Nettle compress . Crushed nettle leaves are mixed with sour cream. The mixture is applied to the hernia and covered with a cabbage leaf, then fixed with a bandage. The compress is left overnight.
  3. Oatmeal compress . Thick porridge is applied to the navel at night. The procedure is repeated daily for two weeks.

When choosing means for treatment, it is important to take into account the high risk of an allergic reaction.

 

Many medicinal herbs are allergens, and this will only aggravate the condition of the child. Before using any method, it is better to consult with your doctor, because not all proven remedies will be useful in a particular case.

Treatment at home is stopped when the condition of the baby is unstable and there is a risk of complications. If the child begins to behave restlessly, cries for no apparent reason, you should call a doctor, but in no case should you try to improve the condition with folk remedies.

1 star2 stars 0