Spontaneous rupture of infantile umbilical hernia: report of three cases

Three Nigerian infants with spontaneous rupture of an umbilical hernia are described. In two, hernias developed in the neonatal period following umbilical sepsis. Rupture occurred at the ages of 2 and 3 months, respectively, and was probably precipitated by raised intra-abdominal pressure resulting from excessive crying. The third child had a large, ulcerated umbilical hernia which ruptured at 10 months and was precipitated by damage to the overlying skin. The children were treated successfully.