Aisha A., 1

Aisha Abubakar is a 3-month-old female infant diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. She is the second child in a family of five. Her mother is a full-time housewife with no formal employment, while her father works as a driver and frequently travels for work. The father provides ₦10,000 monthly for family feeding and upkeep. She developed a swelling at the umbilical region (belly button) when she was about a few weeks old, which gradually persisted for about three months. The swelling was noticed by the caregivers and was sometimes painful, though the pain temporarily improved with medication. It was also observed that the swelling reduces when the child lies on her right side, indicating that it is reducible. She was later taken to the hospital where she was examined and diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a condition where part of the intestine or abdominal tissue pushes through a weak point around the navel. The child is conscious, and has been admitted for further management. She has been scheduled for surgical repair (herniorrhaphy) to correct the hernia and prevent complications.

The child is planned for herniorrhaphy, which is a surgical procedure used to repair an umbilical hernia. During the operation, the protruding tissue or intestine is gently returned into the abdominal cavity, and the weak area around the umbilicus is strengthened and closed to prevent the hernia from coming back. Before surgery, the child will be assessed and prepared for anesthesia and safe operation. After the procedure, she will be closely monitored for pain, wound healing, and any signs of complications. Outcome: With successful surgery and proper postoperative care, the outcome is very good, with complete correction of the swelling, relief of pain, and restoration of normal abdominal structure and function.

The child is diagnosed of umbilical hernia. The swelling at the umbilical region is reducible but associated with pain and tenderness, indicating the need for definitive surgical management rather than conservative observation alone. The doctor has recommended herniorrhaphy (surgical repair of the hernia) to correct the defect in the abdominal wall and prevent recurrence or possible complications such as incarceration or strangulation in the future. The prognosis is good with timely surgical intervention and proper postoperative care, the child is expected to recover fully, with resolution of the swelling and pain. Long-term outcomes are generally excellent in infants after successful hernia repair.