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Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Morphometric Analysis of the Umbilicus According to Age
Nicolas Correia1, Laura Jayyosi1, Sergiu Chiriac1
1Plastic Surgeons, Department of Plastic Surgery, Hopital Maison Blanche, CHU Reims, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France.
Insights
Umbilicus position remains stable during childhood growth, aiding pediatric umbilicoplasty. Round and protruding navels are more common in children, while adults show more horizontal ovals.
Area of Science:
- Plastic surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Anatomy
Background:
- Umbilicoplasty in children is challenging due to ongoing growth.
- Previous studies focused on adult umbilical morphometrics.
- Understanding pediatric umbilical changes is crucial for surgical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare childhood and adult umbilical shape and position.
- To refine surgical techniques for pediatric umbilicoplasty.
- To establish morphometric guidelines for optimal cosmetic results.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-center study.
- Morphometric analysis of the umbilicus in 200 individuals (adults and children).
- Standardized measurements and photographic documentation by a single operator.
Main Results:
- Umbilical position is stable throughout growth, typically at 0.57 of the xiphoid-pubis distance.
- Round and protruding umbilical shapes are more frequent in children (<18 years).
- T-shaped umbilici appear only in adults; horizontal ovals are more common in adults.
Conclusions:
- Abdominal growth and fat redistribution influence umbilical orientation and depth.
- Optimal placement for secondary umbilicoplasty is between 1/2 and 2/3 of the xiphoid-pubis distance.
- These findings improve cosmetic outcomes in pediatric umbilicoplasty.
Background:
Morphometric and anatomical analyses of the shape and position of the umbilicus have been conducted in adults, but umbilicoplasty in children remains challenging because growth is still occurring.
Objectives:
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the difference in the position and shape of the umbilicus between childhood and adulthood. The secondary objective was to improve the surgical management of umbilicoplasty in children.
Methods:
This prospective single-center study focused on the morphometric analysis of the umbilicus in 200 adults and children. All data, including standardized measures and pictures, were determined by one single operator.
Results:
Despite a variation of approximately 2% in the xiphoid-pubis distance, the location of the umbilicus remains stable during the entire growth period. In a supine individual, the location is at one half to two thirds of the xiphoid-pubis distance (slightly lower in children), with a mean ratio of 0.57 for the xiphoid-umbilicus distance to the xiphoid-pubis distance. In the general population, the most common shapes are round and vertical oval. T-shaped umbilici were only observed in adults. Round and protruding shapes were twice as frequent in children under 18 as in adults. The horizontal oval shape was twice as frequent in adults.
Conclusions:
Abdominal growth and changes in the repartition of subcutaneous adipose tissues with age are responsible for the vertical orientation and deepening of the umbilicus as well as its horizontal orientation. To promote final cosmetic outcomes, secondary umbilicoplasty must place the umbilicus between one half and two thirds of the xiphoid-pubis distance.
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