Health - Beverly Hills,CA

My son's belly button was like that when he was about 9 mos or so... My doctor told me that it would go away on its own - Which it did, if not they would have to operate, I think he called it a Herniated belly button, My son is almost 17 yrs. and has an inny looks perfectly normal!!

You should not wait until April. I'm not a medical doctor, but you should stress to your pediatrician that you strongly feel something is wrong and insist that your pediatrician see your daughter or refer you to someone who will see her same day. Be prepared to tell the physician how long the symptoms have been present, if she is eating, drinking and having any bowel movements and how often. The area you live in is very medically competitive and overflowing with pediatricians so if yours won't see her, find a new pedi fast. Ask your insurance company for a referral to a new pedi right away. If you have a pedi that won't see his patients for sick visits, that is medically irresponsible and you should report him to the CA Medical Board and to your insurance company.

Take her to the ER/Urgent care right away - don't wait. Even though she isn't in pain, that is not normal. It could be a hernia OR something else but better to be safe than sorry. Also, I agree on looking for another pediatrician!

After a visit to urgent care or something of the like, I would find a new pediatrician! That is an unacceptable level of care!!! Good luck and get that baby of yours checked by a pro ASAP. :)

You know, a good doctor cannot diagnose over the internet. If you're that worried, you need to take her in. Should you take her to the ER? Probably not. But the fact that your doctor is refusing to see her is very disturbing. Sounds like you need to find a new doctor. Like now. Refusing to see a patient is just not acceptable.

That said, it's likely nothing, but only a doctor can tell you for sure.

I don't think anyone will be able to diagnose/treat your child's problem over the internet. This is definitely a case where you will need to take her to the doctor. If your doctor won't see her till April, go to another one.

It sounds like an umbilical hernia, but you weren't clear on how long it has been this way. Since birth? For the last week? Month?
(If it is an umbilical hernia - which is something that is apparent at birth - it will go away between the ages of 2 and 5 years. Maybe sooner.)

Also, they should be seeing your daughter soon for her 9-month well-check. Sounds like your pediatrician is either really overloaded or just negligent - whatever the case, do try to find a new doctor and get her in ASAP.

I am not a doctor as with most of the others that have responded. By the symptoms it sounds like a hernia...and as long as that bump is soft it is not an emergency. Even so, I would make an appointment to see the doctor as soon as possible. Just to confirm that is right....and see if it at a point were they would suggest treatment - which is surgery. Surgery is not always needed....

hi -
i too am not a doctor. But I would definitely talk to the doctor about it. When you talked to her doctor office - I'm assuming you gave them her symptoms? they should see her before April. A distended belly is not normal. There are a number of reasons for a distended belly from non-life threatening to need for emergency care. only a doctor can examine her and let you know what it is. some possibility may including gas, fluid in the abdomen, umbilical hernia http://infant-toddler-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/umb..., or Intussusception (obstruction in the bowel http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/surgical/intussuscept... ).

If your pediatrician will not see her is there another doctor in the office that can see her? In short, I think it is important to have her seen before April but I can’t tell you that it is cause to go to the ER (if you do decide to go to the ER – is there an ER that specializes in pediatrics?)
hope everything is okay. Good luck!

i would get her to a dr asap. I live in the KC area, and we have pediatricians with urgent care hours that will take your kid even if you arent a regular patient. If you have good insurance, I would go to the emergency room. I havent heard anything good about Walgreens urgent care, but maybe it would be better down there.

Well Im NOT a dr. But I would for sure take her to see a dr about that. Can you dr not see her before April? Not as a "well check" but as a regular appointment. If not, I would still take her in to someone to be checked out, seems like it would be concern enough to do so, her being in pain or not. You dont want it to be something bad inside and be letting it go on and on.
I hope she is ok!!