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Causes of Umbilical Hernia


Some of the causes of Umbilical hernia in infants as well as adults are:

  • Umbilical hernia in a male adult could be caused on account of a failure in the embryonic closures at the time of birth or just before birth. This phenomenon usually tends to occur when the male sex organs are being formed during the fetal stage. Typically when the male sex organs are being developed in the fetal stage, the testes descends from the abdomen. During this time, if the pathway formed to facilitate the descent of the testes does not automatically close, it may serve as an outlet for future hernias.
  • Another one of the causes of umbilical hernia is premature birth because infants that are prematurely born tend to have tissue and muscle development related issues.
  • Umbilical hernias may also occur because of certain genetic disorders of the muscle and connective tissues which can result in the formation of weak spots from where the fatty tissue or the intestines may protrude.
  • In case of adults, one of the common causes of Umbilical hernia is the dual effect of both a preexisting weak spot in an abdominal wall along with increased pressure from within the body. An increase in pressure on the abdomen could be on account of activities that require the individual to lift heavy objects.
  • Similarly, if an individual has suffered from an injury or the muscle or the connective tissues then these sites, being already weak, could serve as easy outlets for any protrusion resulting in an Umbilical hernia.
  • Umbilical hernia may also be caused in adults by a sudden movement or a sports injury.

There are also certain preexisting medical conditions that may serve as a risk factor for Umbilical hernia:

  • Cystic Fibrosis: This is a medical condition which raises the chances of a person developing Umbilical hernia because it involves chronic coughing which tends to build up pressure within the body thereby weakening the tissues and muscles.
  • Obesity: An individual who is already overweight is also prone to developing umbilical hernia. The internal pressure may result into the internal organs or fatty tissues being pushed into hernias.
  • Ascites: This medical condition involves the accumulation of fluid in one’s abdominal cavity which in turn increases abdominal pressure.
  • Pregnancy: Women tend to develop umbilical hernia in the final stages of their pregnancy on account of the pressure causes by the growing fetus.
  • Those suffering from severe constipation for a prolonged period of time are also known to be prone to Umbilical hernia.

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