Umbilical hernias in infants are very common and in most cases disappear on their own by school age. If this does not happen, surgery may be necessary. Until then, the umbilical hernia is usually only observed and not treated. This approach is currently considered the medical standard. With this study, the investigators want to find out whether taping the umbilical hernia causes it to disappear more quickly. The investigators also want to know whether taping leads to less frequent protruding belly buttons (fewer "outies") and whether taping can cause a change in the quality of life of the parents. The investigatorsare therefore planning a study in which they will randomly divide patients into groups (observation versus taping) and examine the infants at 6 and 12 months of age. In addition to our physical examinations, the parents will each fill out a questionnaire about any stress they may be experiencing due to the umbilical hernia.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
82
The study intervention is taping of the umbilical hernia. Patients parents of the treatment group shall be instructed by our physiotherapist on how to perform umbilical hernia taping. A parent information sheet on the standardized application of taping will be provided. Umbilical hernia taping involves reducing the prolapse beneath the level of the abdominal wall and applying multiple medical tapes to apply long-lasting and light pressure on the umbilicus as to prevent the hernia from protruding.
University Children's Hospital of Zurich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
Umbilical hernia closure rates at 6 months
The primary objective is to show that umbilical hernia closure rates at 6 months of age in infants with umbilical hernias undergoing umbilical taping are increased compared to the control group without taping.
Time frame: at 6 months of age
Umbilical hernia closure rates at 12 months of age
Time frame: At 12 months of age
Occurrence of complications of umbilical hernias within the first 12 months
Time frame: Until 12 months of age
Diameter of umbilical fascial defect at all visits
Time frame: Measured at each visit (first visit, at 6 months and at 12 months of age)
Parental health-related quality of life assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Family Impact Module
The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Family Impact Module is scored from 0 to 100: * Highest score: 100 = better family functioning and less negative impact on the family. * Lowest score: 0 = worse family functioning and greater negative impact on the family.
Time frame: Measured at each visit (first visit, at 6 months and at 12 months of age)
Parental satisfaction of the appearance of the umbilicus after closure of the fascial ring assessed by the Infant Umbilical score
The Infant Umbilical Score is currently under validation and assesses six aspects, each scored from 1 to 5, giving a total score ranging from 6 to 30. Higher scores indicate greater reviewer satisfaction with the appearance of the infant umbilicus.
Time frame: Measured only if and after umbilical fascial closure occurs at either 6 or 12 months
Blinded surgeons assessment of the appearance of the umbilicus after closure of the fascial ring assessed by the Infant Umbilical score
The Infant Umbilical Score is currently under validation and assesses six aspects, each scored from 1 to 5, giving a total score ranging from 6 to 30. Higher scores indicate greater reviewer satisfaction with the appearance of the infant umbilicus.
Time frame: at 12 months of age
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