Abdominal wall: umbilical hernia in children: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Abdominal wall: umbilical hernia in children

Sample item

A 14-month-old girl has a reducible 1 cm umbilical hernia that is asymptomatic. What is the best management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Observation, since most close spontaneously by 4 to 5 years

Infantile umbilical hernias arise from delayed closure of the umbilical ring and the majority close spontaneously, especially smaller defects. Surgery is deferred until about 4 to 5 years unless the child has symptoms, incarceration or a large persistent defect. Strangulation is very rare.

Option by option

  • A. Strapping with a coin

    Strapping or coins do not hasten closure and risk skin injury.

  • B. Urgent mesh repair

    Mesh is not needed for a small paediatric defect and urgent repair is not required.

  • C. Immediate herniotomy

    Early operation is unnecessary in an asymptomatic child.

  • D. Observation, since most close spontaneously by 4 to 5 years (correct)

    Correct. Natural closure is expected, so surgery is delayed.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Observation, since most close spontaneously by 4 to 5 years. Infantile umbilical hernias arise from delayed closure of the umbilical ring and the majority close spontaneously, especially smaller defects.

Why is "Strapping with a coin" not the answer?

Strapping or coins do not hasten closure and risk skin injury.

Why is "Urgent mesh repair" not the answer?

Mesh is not needed for a small paediatric defect and urgent repair is not required.

Why is "Immediate herniotomy" not the answer?

Early operation is unnecessary in an asymptomatic child.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal wall: umbilical hernia in children in General Surgery. Surgery is deferred until about 4 to 5 years unless the child has symptoms, incarceration or a large persistent defect. Strangulation is very rare.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Abdominal wall: umbilical hernia in children?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.