Question

Case Study #15

Ashton Miller is almost 3 weeks old. She was delivered at home by a certified nurse midwife (CNM). At birth, it was noted that she has a protruding umbilicus. Her mother laughed when she saw her belly button, and said, "Oh, look at that. It's an 'outie,' just like mine!" The stump of the umbilical cord dried naturally and fell off last week. This morning, during a diaper change, her mother Brenda noticed that when she was crying, her belly button seemed to swell and protrude even further, so she called her mother for advice. Her mother said, "Just tape a clean quarter over it-- but call the doctor's office if you're really worried."

Should Brenda follow all of her mother's advice? Why or why not?

Brenda calls her mother to discuss the advice she received from the pediatrician. Brenda's mother said, "You grew out of it and never needed to have surgery. She probably won't either." Does Brenda have reason for concern? How accurate is her mother's advice?

Answer 1

No, Brenda should not follow all of her mother's advice since her mother would not be aware of all the complications of umblical hernia. A pediatrician should be consulted.

Brenda need not be worried at the moment as Ashton Miller is only 3 months old. Umblical Hernia at birth is common among most of the babies at birth and these disappear by the time the child is 5 years old. Brenda has to check if Ashton has increased swelling, discoloration or tenderness in umblical area or if Ashton has vomiting or continues crying with pain.

Ashton would only require a surgery if the hernia is very large and has not gone away by the age of 5.