Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: April 17, 2019
Umbilical shapes predict future protrusion in pediatric umbilical hernias
Yuta Nakajima1, Shoji Kondoh1, Shunsuke Yuzuriha2
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Ina Central Hospital, Ina, Nagano, Japan.
Insights
Umbilical hernia in children can lead to a protuberant umbilicus. Specific umbilical shapes in infants can predict this outcome, aiding early intervention for pediatric umbilical hernia patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Genetics
Background:
- Umbilical hernias are common in infants.
- The development of a protuberant umbilicus is a potential complication.
- Early identification of predictive factors is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of protuberant umbilicus in pediatric umbilical hernia patients.
- To identify early predictive factors for protuberant umbilicus development.
- To evaluate the association between initial umbilical shape and later protuberance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 103 pediatric patients younger than 3 months with umbilical hernias.
- Follow-up until 1 year of age to assess umbilical appearance (concave vs. protuberant).
- Statistical analysis including single-factor and logistic regression to identify predictive factors.
Main Results:
- 28% of patients developed a protuberant umbilicus by age 1.
- Initial umbilical shapes, specifically highly inflated balloon and crescent types, were significant predictors.
- Straining habits also showed a significant association with protuberant umbilicus development.
Conclusions:
- Initial umbilical shape in pediatric patients with umbilical hernias is a valuable predictor of protuberant umbilicus.
- Early assessment of umbilical morphology can guide clinical management and parental counseling.
- Further research may explore the underlying mechanisms of shape-related protuberance.
Background:
This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence and early predictive factors of the development of protuberant umbilicus in pediatric umbilical hernia patients.
Methods:
In this retrospective visual and chart review, patients younger than 3 months with umbilical hernias who initially visited Ina Central Hospital from April 2011 to March 2017 and were followed until they started to walk (at the age of 1 year) were evaluated. The umbilici of the patients at the age of 1 year were classified into two types based on their appearance: concave and protuberant umbilici. Single-factor and logistic regression analyses of the association between the appearance of the umbilicus at the age of 1 year and various clinical data were performed.
Results:
Of the 103 patients, 72% had concave umbilici, and 28% had protuberant umbilici. Single-factor analysis showed significant differences in the umbilical shapes at the initial visit (P < 0.001) and straining habit (P < 0.001). The most ideal logistic regression model demonstrated that umbilici of the highly inflated balloon type (odds ratio, 27.00; 95% confidence interval odds ratio, 5.60-130.08) and crescent type (odds ratio, 14.34; 95% confidence interval odds ratio, 4.22-48.77) were more likely to develop into protuberant umbilici.
Conclusions:
Umbilical shapes at the initial visit can be used to predict the future development of protuberant umbilici in pediatric patients with umbilical hernias.
